Roy Bennett heartened by the release of Jestina Mukoko
March 2nd, 2009
Via MDC Press Release — MDC Treasurer General, and deputy Minister of Agriculture designate, Roy Bennett is heartened by the release, on bail, of renowned human rights activist, Jestina Mukoko. (See our previous post here).
Roy Bennett’s lawyers will appear in the Harare High Court at 1400hrs tomorrow, Tuesday 3rd of March, to oppose the state’s appeal against an earlier decision of the High Court to grant Roy Bennett bail. We maitain our well considered view that the charges against Roy Bennett have no basis in law, and are driven by vindictive and malicious political motives.
Roy Bennett has indicated that the conditions in the prison are appalling and deplorable. The prison is not fit for human habitation. Further, prisoners are failing to access medical attention, including a South African who was arrested in October 2008, but is yet to be taken to court and charged. At the time of his arrest, he had a broken arm. For the five months or so he has been in prison, he has not received medical attention, and his fellow inmate, Roy Bennett is worried that gangrene may have set in. Roy Bennett has become an activist for his fellow inmates and has raised the plight of the South African with the prison authorities.
The National Executive of the MDC, which met on Friday 27th February 2009, re-emphasised the demand that all political prisoners must be released immediately, unconditionally and unharmed in the spirit and letter of the Global Political Agreement. The position has not changed. While we welcome the release of Jestina Mukoko, a fine daughter of the Zimbabwean people, we demand the immediate release of Roy Bennett and all other political prisoners unconditionally and unharmed. Those that require medical attention must be allowed unhindered access to same.
MDC Press Release
March 3rd, 2009 17:55
MEDIA ALERT
Harare High Court has thrown out application for leave of appeal by the state and ordered the immediate release of Roy Bennett.
We demand that the order be respected and Roy Bennett be released immediately.
March 4th, 2009 12:58
LETS SEE WAT THESE COURT OFFICIALS WILL SAY, I BET YOU ALL THE DELAYING TACTICS WILL NOW GO TOP GEAR!! THE MAN HAS HAD NO FREEDOM TO SAY THE LEAST , WE DEALING WITH A HEARTLESS FEW OVERZEALOUS JUNTA HERE. WHEN THEY GET SOBER, THEY WILL FEEL THE MORNING AFTER FEELING. WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY WITH THIS BATTLE.
BY MUDHARA WEKAZHANGE, MUWARD MANGU
March 5th, 2009 07:48
WE shall all be free.