Today, the Constitutional Court will preside over an application by Remnant Church leader Pastor Patrick Mugadza. Pastor Mugadza was arrested after he allegedly prophesied that President Robert Mugabe was going to die on the 17th of October of 2017. Mugadza is challenging his arrest and wants the apex court to declare that his arrest and prosecution are a violation of his fundamental rights. Mugadza is being represented David Hofisi and Gift Mtisi of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Pastor Mugadza.
The clergyman wants the Constitutional Court to determine the violation of several of his fundamental rights including the right to dignity, equal protection and benefit of the law, freedom of conscience and freedom of expression.
The clergyman argues that while the Constitution protects all manner of expression, these two provisions criminalise distinct forms of expression hence are they a limitation on free expression.
Pastor Mugadza was arrested in January by Zimbabwe Republic Police officers and charged with causing offence to persons of a particular race and religion. Prosecutors allege that Pastor Mugadza allegedly insulted the Christian religion and the African tradition by uttering some words, which are a taboo to predict someone’s death.
More: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
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