Denford Magora's Latest Zimbabwe News Blog

Roy Bennet leaving Mutare Prison on March 12 this year, a full month after his fellow ministers and Deputy Ministers from the Tsvangirai MDC had been sworn in by Mugabe. Sunday 12 July is four-month anniverary of that release, and he is still not sworn in. Mugabe makes promises, Tsvangirai and his apologists swallow them........ The idiotic lie that Roy Bennett will be sworn in at the same time as the MDC-T Governors, which is supposedly to happen next month, is still being regurgitated by Tsvangirai apologists, even as the MDC-T itself as a party acknowledges that it has been sold a dummy by Mugabe. You will recall that in March this year, Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara took up the issue with Mugabe because Tsvangirai was too scared to confront Mugabe on it. Mutambara was told by Mugabe that Bennett would not be sworn in because he has a serious case against him pending in the courts. Mutambara pressed the point and asked The Solution what would happen if Bennett was acquitted...

President Motlanthe of South Africa, who said at the weekend the issue of Zimbabwe's prisoners, including Roy Bennett and Jestina Mukoko has nothing to do with SADC and must be solved by the Inclusive government now in place in Zimbabwe The latest from here in Zimbabwe: Roy Bennet appeared in court today and was remanded in custody to March 4 2009 . He will spend that time in Mutare Prison, although there is a hearing tomorrow that is supposed to decide on his appliation for bail. This is unlikely to suceed, considering that the prosecution says he is a high flight-risk character who was actually caught trying to flee Zimbabwe. There is still no news on the other prisoners, Jestina Mukoko et al, who were supposed to be brought to court today. They failed to show up on Monday beause the police said they had no petrol to bring them to court. Crucially, it has now been publicly reported for the first time that the charges against Jestina Mukoko, Roy Bennett and others are simply a way...

Zimbabwe's new cabinet met for the first time yesterday and, according to a statement issued by Morgan Tsvangirai's spokesman, James Maridadi, discussed nothing of substance . Roy Bennett and Jestina Mukokos group were not discussed, even in the meeting between Mugabe and Tsvangirai immediately after the cabinet meeting. The meeting was held as is traditional under Mugabe, at Munhumutapa Building in the Cabinet Room. The statement says after meeting Mugabe, Tsvangirai then met with ministers in charge of security, including the ZANU (PF) heavyweight Emmerson Mnangagwa. Again, the imprisoned MDC leaders and activists were not brought up. Instead, Maridadi says the Prime Minister spoke about fresh land invasions. The cabinet meeting was "cordial" and encouraging, according to Tsvangirai's office. Meantime, as the story below says, Bennet appeared in court and was charged with four crimes. He is likely to be denied bail. Mugabe has, I am told, advised Tsvangirai to...

The latest news on Roy Bennett: Why is it that no one can see the game that Mugabe is playing against the democracy project in Zimbabwe? Roy Bennett appeared in court today in Mutare, wearing his white t-shirt and classic farmers' long shorts. He appeared resigned to whatever was about to happen.  What did happen was that the following charges were laid against him: Attempting to commit terrorism, banditry and sabotage Conspiring to acquire arms in order to disrupt essential services Illegal possession of arms and weapons attempting to leave the country illegally The defence immediately asked for the charges to be thrown out and a decision will be made tomorrow (Wednesday 18 February 2009).  Crucially, the charge of attempting to leave the country illegally is being brought up simply so that they make Bennett ineligible for bail. The prosecution will argue that he is a man of some means who can leave the country immediately he is released. You will find the story from AFP here The...

Police patrol the streets of Mutare earlier as Roy Bennett was expected to appear in court. The MDC Treasurer-General and Deputy Agriculture Minister nominee remains in custody and may appear in court to tomorrow Zimbabwe news this evening is that Roy Bennett did not appear in court today despite the expiry of the 48 hours at which police are compelled by law to bring him to court or release him. Morgan Tsvangirai issued a statement a few hours ago demanding that Bennett be released.  At the same time, he is clearly not expecting anyone to pay any attention, because the MDC also said it "will be trying to arrange bail......when Bennett is charged."  Clearly there is no hope there that he will be released immediately as per the Prime Minister's demand. Voice of America report it here. Curiously, the police produced a signed warrant and waved it about late afternoon today. The warrant legalised the continued detention of Bennett beyond 48 hours. Which, of course, begs the...

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai congratulates Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa soon after he was sworn in by Mugabe LATEST ROY BENNETT UPDATE: MONDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2009 06:30P.M. : Roy Bennett's court appearance has been postponed to Tuesday because prosecutors, supposedly coming from Harare, failed to show up. Although the MDC is now in charge of Home Affairs (their minister goes first at the ministry according to the agreement), the police managed to get a warrant from Home Affairs authorising them to detain Bennett for longer than the 48 hours allowed by law before the prisoner has to be either released or taken to court. In the last few days, I have been contacted by the BBC, Al Jazeera and others seeking a better understanding of what on earth is going on in Zimbabwe. On BBC World Service, I took part in a discussion with Basildon Peta, the Zimbabwe journalist now exiled in South Africa, Eleanor Sisulu (who constantly lives up to her Rooseveltian name) and Jenni Wiliams, pro...