Seems like Zimbabweans are starting to find their courage.

A colleague who went along to the staged anti-sanctions petition rally in Harare yesterday said that he, along with hundreds of other Zimbabweans, walked out on Mugabe whilst he was mid-speech.

Here’s an excerpt from an email received today:

Today, however gave a clear indication of how people at present respond to the demand to attend a rally, but are not prepared to remain or listen to the main speaker.  Of note, many police officers left the area before and during the President’s speech and one police officer was laughing with the crowd as they left the demarcated area (cordoned off with a single piece of plastic cordon tape).

The police and army are some of the largest employers in Zimbabwe. The regime better make sure they can settle their wage bill come the end of each month.

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) issued this alert today:

Police deny BPRA clearance to stage demonstrations

Police have denied Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) clearance to stage demonstrations or hold meetings that were pencilled in for the month of March 2011. Police said there were given a directive not to clear any meetings or demonstrations but did not reveal from what level the order came. BPRA is organising a large scale demonstration against poor service delivery by the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), Bulawayo City Council (BCC), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), registrar’s office and retailers in the city that is set for 31 March 2011.

BPRA sees the police’s move as an affront to freedom of expression and the right of Zimbabweans to assembly. The association has vowed to defy the police rule and carry out all its activities as planned while seeking advice from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) on possible legal action. Police patrols in the city have increased significantly in recent weeks, lending credence to speculations that the armed forces have been deployed to quell any unrest that may arise in the country following widespread demonstrations in North Africa.

Solidarity messages for Munyaradzi Gwisai of the International Socialist Organisation (Zimbabwe) and the 44 others who have been charged with treason continue to pour in. Here are a few more:

• Inotambika Boyz. Ibhora rembabvu ukatsikwa unogona kuputika chigunwe but still ibhora mberi.
• The detention of the 45 people is unwarranted and does not merely show that the regime is desperate but also clearly shows its repressive and autocratic nature. The people have freedom of expression and association and nobody, however great and powerful, should deprive them of their inalienable rights.
• Mugabe should understand he doesn’t own this country and people no longer like him and his band of thugs. He should free all political prisoners or he faces our unarmed wrath now.
• We are praying for you guys. God is up there. One day He will say enough is enough. We support you.
• This is total madness and a desperate move by Zanu PF. I condemn the treason charge.
• The earth belongs to the people not to the leaders, so does this country. The Lord will appoint a redeemer – Judges v 1-25
• It’s our right to know what goes around because it also comes around.
• We condemn the arrest and detention of activists as the suppression of human rights at its worst.
• That’s total abuse of human rights at the highest level.
• Release the detained. Zimbabwe is not a chieftainship we are a (democracy). The treason crap is Satanic.
• No way these people must be released. Rule of law must be used.
• I commend Mr Gwisai and the rest of the detainees for having the initiative to want to change our Zimbabwe situation. Keep the faith.
• It’s strange that people who claim to have liberated us still use repression against us. What are they afraid of? People power rules supreme.
• There is no freedom or democracy.
• Zim dictatorship is now panicking they can only delay but not stop a revolution.
• Enough is enough to dictatorship. Our God will help us get freedom even through the Egyptian style. It’s high time we should unite against dictatorship.
• I support you all.
• On the subject of “The 45″ my deep concern is that there is NOTHING comming from the Prime Minister OR the Minister of Home Affairs. Although the MDC has submitted a strong statement the question arises what about the Governments stance.Have they forgotten who put them where they are and for what?
• Kuvhunduka chatikwara hunge une katurike. Vanotyeyi vanosungira vanhu kuona vidio kana firimu raanoda?

The update from the International Socialist Organisation (Zimbabwe) below provides a heart-felt update on the case of Munyaradzi Gwisai and the 44 others who have been charged with treason:

Update – 2 March 2011

We do appreciate all your efforts in solidarity with our detained comrades. we have noticed a number of solidarity protests, messages, statements and financial and material assistance from you comrades. We greatly appreciate that. Here is an update of what’s going on in respect of the matter.

The matter went before the magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi yesterday (Day 11). As previously the state was represented by Nyazamba and Mthombeni and our very comrades were represented by Alec Muchadehama being assisted by Mandevere Marufu. The matter began by the state cross-examining Cde Munyaradzi Gwisai, followed by the evidence of Antonater Tafadzwa Choto and Mascilne Zvomuya who were also cross-examined by the state. It was an interesting moment comrades. Mr Muchadehama made a conclusion after the evidence of his witnesses and the prosecution was given a chance to respond. That’s when the problem began. The prosecutor said he wanted time to research on the authorities cited by defence lawyer and added that his response was voluminous but the magistrate indicated that the matter was to be concluded since he will be not available for the rest of the week.

We adjourned for an hour and finally the matter was postponed to Monday 07/03/11. You could witness sorrow on the faces of the families who came expecting the release of their relatives and friends. The accused are therefore still in custody. Defence counsel however insisted that those who need medical attention, particularly those who are HIV positive and those who were tortured by police must be medically examined by doctors of their own choice and that order was granted by the magistrate and that it should be done in line with prison regulations.

The magistrate therefore will grant his determination on Monday but please note that the accused are not yet on remand and that this not yet the trial. If they are placed on remand they will have to apply for bail at the High Court. These proceedings are merely preliminary. The magistrate’s court has no jurisdiction over treason cases. The magistrate is to give a ruling on whether there was reasonable suspicion or not at the time of the arrest. If there was reasonable suspicion then the accused will be placed on remand, if there was no reasonable suspicion then the accused will be released because the arrest will be ruled unlawful. The defence lawyers are refusing the accused being placed on remand since there was no reasonable suspicion and no crime was committed. That ruling will be on Monday.

We visited the male prison after the court session to give them food only to be told that we were late so we failed to serve them.

Some of our subscribers sent us their observations from the anti-sanctions campaign launched by Robert Mugabe in Harare today:

• I wish that sanctions not be lifted until pepetrators of violence are brought to book and dealt with accordingly together with their leaders.
• People being forced to board buses omnibuses diverted to showgrounds by so-called youths.
• Fear of victimisation made us to sign.
• Very quiet no noise.
• Today’s gathering is not an anti-sanction but a Zanu PF campaaign rally.
• Many shops have been closed in town as many people went to witness the 2 million.
• Mugabe is the only sanction we have. People must chant “Mugabe must go” at those forced gatherings.
• We are having difficulties getting into town from Zengeza 3. Kombis are being diverted to Bob’s meeting.
• Is it true? Someone told me shops and other businesses are not operating today, is a day of anti sanction campaigning. Please beware and inform others because it can turn to violence.
• EU & West add more names to the sanction list today whilst Mugabe is trying to hoodwink everyone with the so called 2 million march.
• Don’t go into town today coz kombis are being diverted to the show ground.
• Kubatana! Tiri kumandikidzwa kuratidzira zvemasanctions nehutungamiri hweZanu PF.
• Here in Glen Norah ahead of Zanu PF’s anti sanctions march they are going around telling all people to lock their doors despite you have infants and school going age children.

We have received more text messages expressing support for Munyaradzi Gwisai of the International Socialist Organisation (Zimbabwe) and the 44 others who have been charged with treason:

• Absurd it is and I condemn it in the strongest manner possible. Asi kuenda kwemukuru shingai varume we are with you in spirit.
• ‘Let my people go.’ Exodus 5 v. 2 History is on our side! Age is on our side! People are on our side! God is on our side! The people shall govern!
• Under these very difficult circumstances I wish you courage, faith, patience and humour.
• The world has eyes. Nothing is going to happen to the 45 detained on false treason charges.
• No rule of law, no democracy, no peace, no justice. It’s high time we should take to the streets and demonstrate against dictatorship.
• Let us pray for them. God is for the oppressed. One day he will free his oppressed people. Let’s have faith in him.
• I support them because they are driving towards human, civil, political, social and economic rights.
• We must be free to choose our favourite leaders.
• Vicious regimes are destined to fall. We’ve the strong conviction to free our nation. Let’s fight on guys.
• The Almighty God is watching. You will conquer. Keep the wheels of change rolling. We are with you.
• Those who arrested the 45 are the ones who are committing treason.
• Free the 45 now! – Batanai
• To those imprisoned we want you to know that we serve a God of infinite justice. Be encouraged. We will pray for you and hold you in our hearts. – Nan
• An injury to one is an injury to all. We are with them wherever they are. We will stand with them.
• This is not fair. This is inhuman. We are sick and tired with these perpetrators. We people should stand bold enough to conquer this evil doing.
• Free the 45 now!
• All I can say to Robert and his cowboys is: Please give peace a chance!
• We will continue with this abuse if we maintain this obedience and faithfulness of pet dogs.