By Paul Nyathi|A Harare magistrate’s court says there is reasonable suspicion that pastor Evan Mawarire accused of subversion amid nationwide protests committed an offence and must gave trial.

Through his lawyers, Mawarire had sought discharge of the matter but the magistrate turned down the request and has set another hearing for Jan. 31.

Mawarire must remain in detention while awaiting trial, and his lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa says she will apply for bail on Monday.

Mawarire is accused of inciting civil disobedience via social media as Zimbabweans protested a dramatic fuel price increase imposed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Sunday last week.

He is one of more than 600 people arrested this week in a sometimes violent crackdown which has seen the government order for an internet services shut off.

According to Mtetwa the that facts presented by the prosecution do not disclose an offence at all arguing that his client must be set free.