Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Bennett arrested, charged with treason

Bennett arrested, charged with treason
Mutsawashe Makuvise
Sat, 14 Feb 2009 03:52:00 +0000

MDC-T national treasurer and Deputy Minister of Agriculture-designate Roy Bennett was arrested yesterday at Prince Charles Airport in Mt. Hampden, in Zimbabwe's capital Harare and charged with treason.

Bennett, who was arrested shortly after midday Friday, fled Zimbabwe in 2006 when police wanted him in connection with the discovery of an arms cache in Mutare. He was accused of trying to overthrow the Government of President Mugabe.

Bennett was granted political asylum in South Africa, but returned to Zimbabwe earlier this month when negotiations for an inclousive Government were being finalized..

Senior police officers in the capital confirmed the arrest which they said was in connection with the arms cache at Peter Hitschmann’s house in Mutare..Hitschmann, a former Rhodesian soldier and alleged member of the shadowy rebel Zimbabwean Freedom Movement (ZFM), was arrested and charged.

Hitschmann was sentenced to three years in jail for possessing dangerous weapons of war

Ian Makone, Secretary to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai issued a statement saying it was unclear why Bennett was arrested.

"Roy Bennett was arrested a few minutes ago at Charles Prince Airport. I am not sure whether he was arriving or leaving," Makone said.

Makone indicated that Bennett had been planning to spend the weekend with his family in South Africa before taking up his job as the deputy minister.

Bennett is now believed to be held at Mutare police station.

A statement released by the MDC-T party Friday said about 200 members of their party's Manicaland Provincial Executive demanded the release of Bennett.

"Lawyer representing Roy Bennett Trust Maanda negotiated with the MDC-T members and police returned to Mutare police station," read the statement.

"Police have started firing live ammunition in the air and have brought dogs in an attempt to disperse hundreds of MDC supporters that had surrounded Mutare police station ... demanding the release of Roy Bennett."

Labels: MDC VIOLENCE, ROY BENNETT

posted by MrK @ 12:37 AM