#ThisFlag pastor denies fleeing Zimbabwe

A pastor who planned Zimbabwe's biggest mass protests in a decade, and whose activism has steeled mass anger over President Robert Mugabe's disastrous 36-year rule and the nation's dying economy, signalled his defiance in the face of attempts to extra-legally apprehend him, making a brief appearance on social media and denying he had fled the country.

As alleged State forces hunted him down fiercely at his Avondale home and his Baptist Church offices after the anti-government demonstrations, Mawarire said he had travelled to attend to a previously arranged engagement outside the country.

"Fellow citizens, thank you for your concern for my safety and whereabouts. I am well and safe taking some time to recuperate.

"Unfortunately, I have been unable to communicate via my phone as usual because the police are still in possession of my phone," he said in a Facebook post on Friday.

"I am also reliably informed that groups of men have been apparently looking for me at my home and office. Currently, I have travelled to attend to a previously arranged engagement outside the country and will be back home to my family and work soon.

"#‎ThisFlag and indeed all the other significant movements in Zimbabwe are not about one person. Take ownership of this work. I take my hat off for all your amazing efforts in building a better Zimbabwe. We will never be silenced. HATICHADA & HATICHATYA, ASISAFUNI njalo ASISESABI, FED UP & NOT AFRAID."

Mawarire, 39, was freed to much jubilation by over 5 000 people on Wednesday night after being charged with attempting to subvert a constitutionally elected government.

The police had earlier raided his home and church, ostensibly to search for a stolen police helmet and baton as well as subversive material, according to a search warrant.