(TALKZIMBABWE) Bennett could face contempt of court charges

COMMENT - " In an interview with British newspaper The Guardian, he castigated Zimbabwe’s judiciary, which he said was “totally compromised” and incapable of delivering a fair verdict. He seemed certain that a verdict of “guilty” had already been manufactured. "

And this clown is supposed to become a minister?

Bennett could face contempt of court charges
By: SMR
Posted: Sunday, May 23, 2010 11:48 pm

MDC-T treasurer-general and party financier Roy Bennett is likely to face charges of contempt of court for statements he made in a British newspaper a day before judgment on his terrorism and banditry case was delivered in the High Court. Bennett was also facing charges of insurgency and trying to overthrow President Mugabe.

In an interview with British newspaper The Guardian, he castigated Zimbabwe’s judiciary, which he said was “totally compromised” and incapable of delivering a fair verdict. He seemed certain that a verdict of “guilty” had already been manufactured.

He attacked High Court judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu, who presided over the case and insinuated that he was not fit to handle the matter because of his “political patronage”.

The judge was to later acquit the MDC-T treasurer.

“To know that the people that are doing it will stop at absolutely nothing to achieve their ends and that there is a selective application of the rule of law, that the judiciary is totally compromised, that the very judge that’s trying me is the owner of a farm that he’s been given through political patronage, that all the appointments have been done through the Ministry of Justice on a political basis . . . basically I should expect no mercy and fear the worst,” Bennett was quoted as saying.

The four elements constituting contempt of court are: failure to obey a lawful order of a court, showing disrespect for the judge, disruption of the proceedings through poor behaviour or publication of material deemed likely to jeopardise a fair trial.

A judge may impose a fine or jail term for someone found guilty of the charge.

Bennett was acquitted after Justice Bhunu ruled that the State had failed to prove a prima facie case against him.
The State led by Attorney-General Mr Johannes Tomana decided to appeal against the judgment.