Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Bennett to stand trial October 13

Bennett to stand trial October 13
Nyasha Marunde
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:41:00 +0000

A SENIOR official in Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party will stand trial in Zimbabwe in October on terrorism charges, his lawyer said on Wednesday.

Roy Bennett, the MDC-T's treasurer-general and nominee for deputy agriculture minister was arrested in February, accused of plotting against President Mugabe's government.

He will go on trial in the eastern city of Mutare, facing charges of contravening sections of the Public Order and Security Act for being found in possession of dangerous weapons meant to commit acts of banditry, insurgency, sabotage, and terrorism.

He denies the charges but faces life in jail if convicted.

The trial date was pronounced when Bennett appeared for routine remand at the Mutare Magistrate's Court.

The case was presided over by Magistrate Lucy Mungwari.

The state which was represented by Michael Mugabe, Chief Law Officer from the Attorney General’s Office, told the court that they have agreed by consent with the defence to further relax Bennet’s bail conditions.

"They (prosecutors) have set 13 October as the trial date but they also relaxed his bail conditions.

"He will report to the police twice a month instead of once every week," Bennett's lawyer Trust Maanda said.

Maanda, told the court that the state should take seriously the matter in order to ensure that the trial kicks off in October saying in the event of failing to do so the defence will apply for refusal of remand.

He said since the state has given the accused a long remand date they should put their house in order to ensure that the trial resumes in October.

Roy Bennett fled the country in 2006 when police were looking for him in connection with the discovery of an arms cache at Peter Hitchman’s house, which included an AK 47 riffle, 4 FN riffles, 7 Uzis, 19 pistols and revolvers, 11 shotguns and an assortment of ammunition.

Labels: COURTS, MDC, ROY BENNETT

posted by MrK @ 3:53 PM