Bennett is granted bail, but has to stay in Mutare Prison
Roy Bennett was granted bail today but the State immediately appealed against the ruling. This means Bennett will have to spend another seven days in jail while the court lodges their appeal.
This legal tactic is used over and over again by the State as a way to keep people on remand for as long as possible.
Our mailing yesterday focussed on Clause 18.5 (j) of the Global Political Agreement, which demands that all people being held on politically related offences should have their cases expedited by the prosecuting authorities. We pointed out that Zulu, Nkomo, Garutsa and Mujeyi were all granted bail last week, only to have the State immediately appeal against the ruling. The four are still in Chikurubi Maximum Security.
Roy Bennett’s experience mirrors exactly what has been happening to many of the political detainees over and over again.
Bennett’s lawyers plan to challenge the State’s use of this clause in the Constitutional Court.
The delaying tactics completely contravene both the letter and spirit of clause 18.5(j) in the GPA.
Please write a letter to JOMIC demanding that all the detainees are released and that the GPA is upheld by all parties.
February 24th, 2009 15:09
BBC has good piece: How Zimbabwe elite seeks to evade sanctions http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7907278.stm
February 24th, 2009 16:04
From article on swradioafrica:
” Fungisayi Sithole deals with all JOMIC correspondence :
funsthole@yahoo.com”
If this is correct people can also email JOMIC direct.
See: http://www.swradioafrica.com/pages/jomic100209.htm
February 24th, 2009 16:25
What is Giles Mutswekiwa doing abroad when he is clearly needed back home to bring some semblance of balance to the Minsitry of Home Affairs? Should the Generals not be charged for defeating the ends of justice, terrorism against the people etc etc. If they feel the rule of law (even on spurious charges) should take its course, let them also experience how the “rule of law” can be turned against them.
February 27th, 2009 07:33
I am eagerly waiting for Bennet’s release. This is because I want him to help me set up a an agricultural project, an export proceesiing zone type adventure. I want the rural Rushinga community to be part of the project whose main focus will be developing exportable products that will earn this country much needed foreign currency. I believe by the time he is released, his input towards commercial farming in ZImbabwe may not be required by the inclusive governement, but he may be of use in this crucial but neglected area. Please release him NOW for my sake.
February 27th, 2009 16:57
I know Bennet has experience in the development of export processing matters because “Pachedu Farm ” had a lot to do with it, and had far reaching benefits to the community around it. We could with his help, turn all rural areas into export processing zones. How? Whereever there is a borehole or proven groundwater, projects can be inititiate, managed and funded through a well co-ordinated governement and donor community initiative. We wont have to invade commercial farms and could even give back Bennet the farm he used to own, Pachedu Farm”