Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Bennett to face trial for terrorism

Bennett to face trial for terrorism
Vengai Mukahanana
Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:36:00 +0000

FORMER white farmer, Roy Bennett will go on trial commencing March 4 after a magistrate found reasonable grounds for him to stand trial.

Bennett, who is the MDC Treasurer General and a former legislator was designated for the deputy minister of agriculture post, briefly appeared at Mutare magistrate's court on Wednesday.

Magistrate Livingstone Chipadze ruled that there was enough evidence to charge Bennett with with attempt to commit terrorism, banditry and sabotage and for him to face trial.

He was, however, cleared of the immigration offence.

On Sunday Mutare police dropped treason accusations against Bennett who returned from self-imposed exile in South Africa after the MDC-T party had indicated that it would join the inclusive Government with President Mugabe's Zanu PF party.

His court appearance comes as the new inclusive Government began work on Monday, with MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister, after President Robert Mugabe swore in its ministers last week.

The new ministers have moved into their offices and have had briefings and handover formalities.

The MDC-T party on Monday demanded the release of Bennett as well as other detained opposition activists, saying the charges against him were "discredited and shown to be fictitious".

The new MDC Finance Minister, Tendai Biti, threatened “unspecified action” if Bennett was not released on Tuesday this week. Biti did not talk about Bennett at a press conference on Wednesday, but concentrated on announcing a raft of new economic measures.

Labels: MDC VIOLENCE, ROY BENNETT

posted by MrK @ 10:16 PM