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High Court dismisses State application to deny bail to Hon Bennett
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
March 05, 2009

The High Court today dismissed a State application to deny bail to MDC Treasurer General and Deputy Agriculture Minister designate, who is facing trumped up charges of banditry, terrorism and treason.

Last week Hon. Bennett was granted bail by the High Court but the State appealed against the order. Today High Court judge, Justice Tedius Karwi threw out the State application.

However, the MDC lawyers feared that the State would not comply with the order after prosecutors were seen at the Attorney General's Office apparently seeking new orders.

The MDC lawyers were planning to file another urgent application tomorrow at the Supreme Court if the State failed to comply with today's High Court order.

Hon. Bennett was arrested at the Charles Prince Airport in Harare on his way to South Africa on 13 February 2009.

Hon. Bennett was set to be sworn in as deputy Agriculture Minister on 19 February 2009.

The MDC views the arrest of Hon. Bennett on trumped up charges as politically motivated. It further threatens the spirit of unity and cohesion in the inclusive government which many had Zimbabweans hope would bring a fresh impetus to our country's battered image.

Meanwhile, a total of 10 MDC and civil society activists who have been languishing in remand prison since last year have been released from prison while another three of them are still in remand after failing to meet the stringent bail conditions.

Another three, MDC head of security, Chris Dhlamini, Ghandi Mudzingwa and journalist Andreson Manyere are still in remand after they were denied bail.

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