HARARE – Lawyers for MDC vice chairman Job Sikhala accused the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the police of “playing hide and seek” after the Zengeza West MP failed to appear in court on Wednesday.

Sikhala was arrested on Tuesday, charged over an alleged plot to topple President Emmerson Mnangagwa by calling for his “overthrow” at a rally.

Sikhala’s lawyers said they had been given assurances that he would appear at the Harare Magistrates Court in Harare at 2.15PM.

Dozens of placard-waving MDC supporters massed outside in anticipation of Sikhala’s arrival but he was not brought to court.

After the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights declared that Sikhala was “missing”, the information ministry issued a statement on Twitter stating that his court appearance had been moved to Bikita, where he made the remarks at a rally. He would appear in court on Thursday morning.

“We have noted media reports alleging that Honourable Sikhala is missing. Those reports are inaccurate. The courts have directed that his case should be tried in Bikita. Honourable Sikhala is being transported by the police to Bikita where the alleged crime was committed,” the ministry said.

But lawyers for Sikhala said no court had sat to make such a decision and in any case police and the NPA had breached an earlier agreement that the initial hearing would take place in Harare.

“The constitution states that every accused person has a right to representation by a lawyer. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is concerned. The hide and seek game between lawyers and the Zimbabwe Republic Police must stop forthwith. Lawyers don’t know where Job Sikhala is,” the lawyers said in a Twitter update.

Support … MDC legal secretary Innocent Gonese (left) speaking to journalists outside court on Wednesday

Sikhala has been charged with subversion – one of nearly two dozen pro-democracy activists and opposition leaders to be charged with the crime since January, as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government widens its crackdown on dissent.

The charges stem from comments made at a rally in Bikita last Saturday.

“The war and the fight, we’re going to take to the doorsteps of Emmerson Mnangagwa (sic). We’re going to overthrow him before 2023. That’s not a joke,” Sikhala said as MDC supporters cheered.

“We’re going to defeat Zanu PF and we’re going to be committed to make sure that we terminate Zanu PF’s rulership of this country before 2023.”