Malema said victory was certain for the Zimbabwean people protesting against the Zanu-PF government, which has been in power since 1980 under President Robert Mugabe’s leadership.
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At first, those in the packed courtroom laughed when the charges were put to Mr Mawarire, but the atmosphere changed when they realised the seriousness of the allegations.
A Zimbabwean pastor who was briefly detained after organising a nationwide strike last week has called on people to keep protesting.
Nkomo said his client had been “ambushed” as Mawarire was supposed to be notified of his charges immediately after his arrest according to the country’s constitution. It was the largest stayaway in almost 10 years.
Zimbabwe gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1980, and Robert Mugabe (92) has held the presidential mantle ever since, despite the country’s economic and political instability.
Amnesty International said Mawarire’s arrest was a calculated plan by Zimbabwean authorities to intimidate activists ahead of Wednesday’s protests.
Protest organisers had appealed for Zimbabweans to hold another strike starting on Wednesday, but their calls were largely unsuccessful with businesses and schools open as usual.
“They made sure that they arrested the people who are most vocal and fearless-that is why the response is not as good as it was last week”, Onias Marongwa, who works in a grocery store, told AFP.
Hundreds of singing supporters greeted the release of Mawarire, who has rallied Zimbabweans with a with a social media campaign called #ThisFlag, encouraging them to reclaim their flag by urging President Robert Mugabe’s government to properly manage the country’s battered economy.
Mawarire was arrested Tuesday after he went to the police to make a statement about how he organised a stayaway a week ago via his #This Flag site.
Baptist minister Evan Mawarire has become a household name in Zimbabwe since he started a social media campaign in April that has tapped into mounting public anger over corruption, high unemployment and economic woes.
The police arrived with water cannons while dozens of #ThisFlag movement supporters wrapped Zimbabwe flags around their necks, a symbol of support for Mawarire.
Footage on the internet has shown police beating protesters with sticks.
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This follows a full day’s court process at the Harare magistrate’s court in which human rights lawyers fought to secure his release from state custody on bail. Delayed salaries, however, were paid, ending the strike by the civil service personnel.
