Masvingo (Masvingo Star-New Ziana) – Hundreds of opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters besieged the Masvingo High Court on Monday as the trial of the party’s national vice chairman, Job Sikhala on charges of attempting to subvert a constitutionally-elected government, kicked off.

Police, in riot gear, cordoned off several streets, including the one the court is located, to prevent possible violence and disruption of court proceedings.

Sikhala is on trial for allegedly threatening, at a party rally in Bikita last year, to overthrow the government before its term of office ends in 2023.

But his lawyers argue that while Sikhala made the threats, they were not directed against the government, but President Emmerson Mnangagwa whose tenure the MDC does not recognise.

Inspite of the validation of President Mnangagwa’s victory in the 2018 presidential poll by the Constitutional Court, local, regional and international election observers, the MDC maintains that its leader Nelson Chamisa won.

In court, the state argued that President Mnangagwa could not be separated from government, and therefore the threats made by Sikhala were also directed at the latter.

Sikhala pleaded not guilty to the subversion charge, and his lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa applied for exception, arguing the threats made did not constitute a crime.

Judge Garainesu Mawadze postponed the case to February 14 when he is expected to rule on the application for exception.

Masvingo Star-New Ziana