This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
July 11, 2019
Job Sikhala, a Zimbabwean opposition lawmaker and vice-chairman of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, appeared in court on Thursday, July 11, 2019, on charges of trying to subvert the government.
According to Kumbirai Mafunda, spokesman for the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights legal group, Mr. Sikhala was remanded in custody until July 24.
Mr. Sikhala allegedly made a speech at a weekend rally, saying the party would unseat President Emmerson Mnangagwa before the next election.
"We are going to overthrow him (Mnangagwa) before 2023," he was quoted as saying.
Mr. Mafunda said Mr. Sikhala's lawyers were preparing a court application for his release on bail, and that they had complained about his treatment by police and being denied access to legal advice.
Mr. Sikhala had been expected in court in Harare on Wednesday but was driven to the southwestern rural town of Bikita to appear before magistrates.
Some Zimbabweans had hoped that the ousting of long-time autocrat Robert Mugabe in 2017 would usher in a more tolerant political scene, but government critics have been frequently targeted by the police and security forces.
At least 21 people have been arrested and charged with treason since January.
