Bennett case postponed indefinitely

Published: July 28, 2010

Harare(ZimEye)-Supreme court judge chief justice Godfrey Chidyausiku on Wednesday postponed the judgment in a case in which the State was appealing against the acquittal of MDC-T Treasurer and Deputy Agriculture Minister designate Roy Bennet.

Roy Bennet was in May acquitted by High court judge justice Chinembiri Bhunu of treason charges by the high court after the state failed to prove a prima facie case against him.

But the State, through chief law officer Chris Mutangadura, in its appeal said the Judge misdirected himself by taking the evidence
provided in court in isolation, thereby failing to adopt a holistic analysis of the circumstantial evidence.

Speaking to journalists after a more than three hour argument in the Supreme court chambers, in Harare on Wednesday, law officer from the Attorney general’s office who was standing for the state Chris Mutangadura said Chief Justice Chidyausiku had indefinitely reserved the judgment to his appeal because of voluminous submissions which both the state and the defence had submitted.

“We had a long argument in the chambers, those submissions need time for the Chief Justice Chidyausiku to go through hence his indefinite reservation of the judgment”,said Mutangadura.

Bennett’s Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa said the state was persecuting her client.

“This is part of persecution we have always been complaining about .It is a political prosecution clearly given that the state failed to prove a case against Bennet as evidenced by the high court judgment in May.

In a recent interview Mr Bennett told the BBC’s southern Africa correspondent, Karen Allen, that the outcome of the appeal against him depended on what orders the judiciary received from the “military junta ruling the country”.

“There is no doubt the judiciary is partisan and acts on orders..so it all depends on what orders have come from the military junta ruling the country as to what the outcome of the appeal would be”,said Bennet.

Bennett is Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s pick for deputy agriculture minister in the shacky transitional unity government.

The former legislator was arrested in February 2009, shortly before he was to be sworn in, over terror charges stemming from accusations that he had funded a plot to topple President Mugabe four years ago.(ZimEye, Zimbabwe)

14 Comments on "Bennett case postponed indefinitely"

Leon on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 10:16 pm

This is the man who can lead the MDC, he will stand for the truth, transparency and might help unite the population and shape the development of the party and the country; without bringing the question of race, tribe and corruption into it.

Guvnor on Thu, 29th Jul 2010 11:41 am

Why are the guilty so afraid of Bennett? Is it that he examplifies of the best of Zimbabwean culture both African and European.

Bla Miki on Thu, 29th Jul 2010 1:14 pm

Before independence, what was Benett’s role? What did he do after independence that benefited the majority of this country? OR what is this pig promising you that you think he is a messiah? Well, if he is man enough, the battle lines are drawn, him vs baba chatunga, he will never ever become even a permanent secretary. As long as baba chatunga is there, hachilumi chibveneti chenyu

choyachatsva on Thu, 29th Jul 2010 1:18 pm

hapana bhunu rinoita nharo namudhara bob rika winner,kunyepa chaiko.over the dead body of baba chatunga yes bennet will be a minister.Mugabe akaonesa bhunu ndondo uyu ndiye wamuri kuda kutamba naye nhai imi

Actor on Thu, 29th Jul 2010 3:18 pm

These abuses of power are serious signs of the end of an era. Even the so called Military Junta is fully aware their days are numbers. This not going to continuously happen. We have had enough of this rubbish. Although the current troubles confronting Bennet are directly linked to the PM’s own posturing on the matter of the MDC’s standing.
There is not going to be any peace in Zimbabwe if the Zanoids are going to fail to reason to drop the control steering of the country. Zimbabwe is never to enjoy peace and development as long the failed Cronies are to keep pretending all is well in the country. It is coming the days when people are going to choose death over abuse. These are facts that the Zanoids should have taken on board in their culture of failing to understand that human beings are not machines that you keep directing an the wrong direction and get want you want.
Bennet is the better leader than Robert and his team. Disregard his skin and being White Bennet has more natural respect and approval to rule the country if he would contest an election with Robert. The very sad position that Robert finds himself confronting. Severe lack of approval from the very people that he took for granted, Pachedu can win a election contested against Robert without any coercion or intimidation. At least the message is clear to Zanoids. The Only man in Zimbabwe to bring down a Minster in Parliament he is a real man.

Leon on Thu, 29th Jul 2010 3:47 pm

Bla Miki you 4got or avoided to ask the question ‘What did Bennet do before or after independence to disrespect the rights of the Zimbabweans and their democracy?’ He is suffering at the moment not on the hands of ZANU pf, but MDC-T is sensing his being genuine, hence they even signed the Unity agreement before his release frm prison coz they were afraid he wud gain support and topple Tswangirai, the tyranny.

Its about time we open our eyes and accept that being an African has nothing to do with race. Some say Zimbabwe will never be ruled by a white man (or former colonies) is America being ruled by a slave (Obama)? Coz we are aware of the history of blacks in America. Lets think beyond that book we used to have at secondary school, the African heritage, and embrace glabalization.

Bennet can speak English than Tswangirai, he is even man enough to kick ass if they mess with him. He will be the only living proof that democracy, racism, tribalism and all sorts of descrimination are history in Zimbabwe. Remember, these probs dont juss affect the whites, they even affect blacks, hence ‘RATIONALITY’ approach is vital. Some of us are still slaves in our minds, we are still walking around with invisible shackles on our arms and legs. Education, glabalization and ICT has freed the lucky ones, but state controled media will never do anyone good. Instead, information deficience is killing our country.

choyachatsva on Fri, 30th Jul 2010 7:27 am

aaaah chinzwai benzi iri leon,inzwai kani vanhu vatema zviri kuitwa nemhuka iyi leon. shut up leon or else go hang!!!!

Bla Miki on Fri, 30th Jul 2010 11:13 am

Kwadzinorohwa matumbu ndiko kwadzino mhanyira. How on this mother earth could you apploud such a barbaric act of boxing someone in Parliament as heroic and great. Saka munoda kugara muchirohwa ana Actor wembwa. Of the two devils, l may be forced to go for Tsvangirai than Benett. lf he was man man enough, why asina kufoma yake pati iye Beneti wacho? Kuda kukohwa paasina kurima nairo chematama ndizvo zvaraida kuitwa a puppert of these white pigs.

Anonymous on Fri, 30th Jul 2010 1:10 pm

hey vakomana,deal with them brother miki.

Guvnor on Fri, 30th Jul 2010 1:12 pm

We can not have some people in this country being above the law and the rest of us under the law. The law must apply uniformly to all citizens of this country. Why do some of these clowns who claim liberation legacy at the same time wish to opress the very same people whom they claim to have freed. It is manifest that ideologically, morally, culturally ( wether from Shona, Ndebele,European or wider African context),economically historically these guys have lost the plot. Even the war vets have cottoned onto the fact that this is not what they went to the war to fight for. This is not what was agreed to in the bush. To pretend that something is being solved by this kind of malicious litigation is foul. You are just adding one more sin to the litany of systematic abuse. It is only one day when the tables will be turned on these self anointed hero’s. We will watch them squeling and running for cover in dirt and darkness like the roaches they are.

Leon on Fri, 30th Jul 2010 2:40 pm

My clear message to all those who still thrive under the belief of ‘racism, tribalism, corruption, regionalisn and all sorts of name calling and sidelining individuals or groups coz of their being, ‘wake up and smell the coffee’.

We are not in the 60s anymore, we have opened our eyes and brains, and the world has eyes over us. Kuwanzirana on this site is what bullies like Bla Miki is good at, be critical dont critisize, majaira hondo yemiseve, iyi ndeyemashoko and points, nothing personal.

Guvnor on Fri, 30th Jul 2010 2:59 pm

Intellect and foresight must overcome this nightmare of fear and agression. Ever wondered why we have little progress to show for our highest literacy rate in Africa. It is because selfish individuals seek to keep the entire society in bondage like slaves, so they can unfairly maintain their position and privilege in the society. The people can see this clearly and their conscience tells them that this is not right. The lies told to the people can not explain the reality on the ground. Blunders of this magnitude are not innocently made.

actor on Fri, 30th Jul 2010 8:38 pm

Richard Bennet (Pachedu) is the MAN of the moment whether Zanoids want to hear it or not. Life is not about being white or black. Now that you are ruling the country as blacks what have you done for yourself and the country besides looting, Killing, HIV-Aids and ******** tsvina pasina matoilets which Zimbabwe is second in Africa.
Bennet speaks for Zimbabweans including those that support the syatem that kills everyone without looking at the colour. Without discussing matter further I ask you to call an election where Robert Mugabe contests with Bennet and see who the Zimbabweans will vote into office. The rules will be Do not lie and beat up anyone and see how the old man will simply become a pile of bones like Chinamasa became a heap of flesh in the parliament.
Do not play with Bennet continue to be jealous of him he is the real DEAL.

Bla Miki on Sat, 31st Jul 2010 1:33 pm

Ok brother Actor, how about pitting Benett vs Chematam? Apa ndinorambawo shamwari kuti chematama angadyiwa na Benett? For Tsvangirai is MDC and full stop.

Bennett case postponed indefinitely

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