ZIMBABWE - HARARE – The trial of MDC Treasurer-General and deputy Minister designate, Senator Roy Bennett was again postponed to Wednesday at the High Court.

 

“The trial kicked off on Monday but it was adjourned after Senator Bennett’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa made an application seeking an order to bar arms dealer Peter Michael Hitschmann from testifying, arguing that he had nothing to tell the State,” said the MDC in a statement.

 

 

 

 

She said Hitschmann signed another affidavit disowning an earlier one upon which the State is relying on saying it was written under duress.

 

 

 

 

 

Bennett is accused of plotting to overthrow Robert Mugabe three years ago. Many believe the charges have been trumped up.

 

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Bennett’s latest arrest last month prompted Tsvangirai to stage a three-week boycott of the unity government, underscoring tensions in the power-sharing arrangement.

The same charges against other MDC officials have already been thrown out of court, and one witness has testified that he only implicated Bennett in the alleged plot because he was tortured into doing so.

“This is a serious matter where someone else’s life is an issue,” Mtetwa said. “The charges the accused is facing carry serious penalty — that is death and life in imprisonment.”

Judge Chinembiri Bhunu adjourned the case until Wednesday, when he is expected to rule on whether the testimony can be submitted.

Attorney general Johannes Tomana said a speedy trial would be in the national interest.
“This is a very serious matter which must be accorded the amount of seriousness it demands, particularly in the environment the country is in,” Tomana said.

Similar charges against another MDC official, co-minister for home affairs Giles Mutseyekwa, were thrown of court in 2006.

Bennett, a former coffee farmer, fled to South Africa before that trial, saying he feared for his life.
Mugabe has so far refused to swear in Bennett as his deputy agriculture minister saying he must first be cleared by the courts.

Tsvangirai only ended the government boycott after an emergency regional summit on Thursday set a new 30-day deadline for the rivals to sort out their differences — including a dispute over Mugabe’s appointment of Tomana, whom the MDC says is targeting its members.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JOKE OF THE DAY - "Do you believe in life after death?" the boss asked one of his employees. "Yes, sir," the clerk replied.

 

"That's good," the boss said. "After you left early yesterday to go to your grandmother's funeral, she stopped in to see you.".”

 

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