A Zimbabwean opposition leader, Job Sikhala who was on Tuesday charged with treason for allegedly saying he wanted to overthrow the president, finally appeared in court in Thursday.
While speaking to AFP, Kumbirai Mafunda, a spokesman for the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights legal group said that Sikhala ‘appeared before a magistrate and was charged with attempting to overthrow the government unconstitutionally’.
The spokesman further stated that Sikhala, vice-chairman of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), is remanded in custody until July 24.
“We are going to overthrow him (Mnangagwa) before 2023,” Sikhala was quoted saying during a speech at a weekend rally.
He said that the party would unseat President Emmerson Mnangagwa before the next election.
Sikhala had been expected in court in Harare on Wednesday but was driven to the southwestern rural town of Bikita to appear before magistrates.
The ZANU-PF government reacted furiously to Mr Sikhala’s alleged remarks, with information secretary Nick Mangwana describing the speech as an “insurgent rant”.
At least 21 people have been arrested and charged with treason since January.
