Deputy Agriculture Minister Designate Roy Bennett with Zimbawe Prime Miniter Morgan Tsvangirai
March 3, 2009
By: TheZimbabwetimes.com Correspondent.
HARARE - The High Court has dismissed a State application to deny bail to detained MDC treasurer, Roy Bennett.
Bennett was arrested on February 13 days before he was due to be sworn in as Deputy Minister of Agriculture in the new government of national unity. He now faces charges of banditry, terrorism and treason.
The High Court granted Bennett bail last week, but the State appealed against the order. High Court judge, Justice Tedious Karwi has now thrown out the State’s application.
Lawyers for the MDC, acting on behalf of Bennett, expressed fear that the State would again not comply with the order after prosecutors in the case were seen in consultation at the Attorney General’s Office. The MDC lawyers say they fear the prosecutors were seeking new orders in a case seen as being politically charged.
The MDC lawyers were, meanwhile, planning to file another urgent application Wednesday at the Supreme Court should the State fail to comply with Tuesday’s High Court order.
Bennett was arrested at the Charles Prince Airport in Harare after his flight to Johannesburg was forced to abandon take-off as it taxied on the runway.
Bennett was set to be sworn in as deputy minister on February 19, 2009.
“The MDC views the arrest of Hon. Bennett on trumped up charges as politically motivated,” the party said in a statement Tuesday. “It further threatens the spirit of unity and cohesion in the inclusive government which many Zimbabweans hoped would bring a fresh impetus to our country’s battered image.”
Meanwhile, human rights activist, Jestina Mukoko and 9 MDC and civil society activists who have been languishing in remand prison since last year have been released from prison while another three are still in remand after failing to meet the stringent bail conditions.
The accused were granted bail on strict conditions. Bail was set at US$600 with US$20 000 surety.
Yet another three, MDC head of security, Chris Dhlamini, Gandhi Mudzingwa and journalist Andreson Manyere are still in remand prison. They were denied bail.
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