Kariba-based Remnant Pentecostal Church leader Pastor Phillip Patrick Mugadza’s case has been referred to the Constitutional Court after the pastor challenged his arrest and detention. Mugadza was arrested in January after he made a “prophecy” which stated that President Robert Mugabe would die on the 17th of October 2017. Prosecutors allege that Pastor Mugadza insulted the Christian religion and the African tradition by doing so.
Mugadza’s lawyers David Hofisi, Gift Mtisi and Dorcas Chitiyo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights have challenged the the laws under which Pastor Mugadza was arrested saying that they are unconstitutional The lawyers argued that the Constitution protects all manner of expression and that provisions of the laws are not necessary in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, regional or town planning or the general public interest and are excessive in their limitation of the right and do not ensure enjoyment of any rights or freedoms by other.
Harare Magistrate Nomsa Sabarauta granted the application to have the matter referred to the Constitutional Court for determination.
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Image Credit: ZLHR
He will surely die