MDC lawmaker charged with treason
Publish date: 15 July 2019
Issue Number: 832
Diary: IBA Legalbrief Africa
Category: Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean MP Job Sikhala was last week charged with treason for allegedly saying he wanted to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The vice-chairperson of the opposition MDC was 'formally charged with attempting to overthrow the government unconstitutionally', his lawyer Obey Shava told AFP. A report on the News24 site notes that Sikhala, who addressed a rally on Saturday, said the party would unseat Mnangagwa before the next election. 'We are going to overthrow him before 2023,' Sikhala was quoted as saying. The Zanu-PF Government reacted furiously to the remarks, with information secretary Nick Mangwana describing the speech as an 'insurgent rant'.