Roy Bennett walks out of prison after spending a month in jail
Via MDC Press Release – MDC National Treasurer and Deputy Agriculture Minister – designate, Hon. Roy Bennett who was yesterday granted a US$5 000 bail was this morning released from Mutare Prison.
Thousands of MDC supporters thronged the prison to witness the release of Hon. Bennett, who walked out of detention at exactly 11.04 AM today after spending a month in prison on trumped charges of banditry and terrorism.
Bennett, who was in high spirits waved and shook hands with the MDC supporters, who had been signing and dancing since morning awaiting his release.
Hon Bennet, who was appointed deputy minister of Agriculture, told journalists at the MDC’s provincial office in Mutare that he was ready to take up any post given to him by the party and the people of Zimbabwe.
He said he had no hard feelings over anyone who had stood in the way of the legal process to have him get his freedom. Hon Bennet expressed his concern over the massive starvation in the prisons, where people are eating sadza with salted water. He said five people had died while he was in prison.
MDC supporters have been keeping a vigil at the prison since Hon Bennet’s arrest.
The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed the State’s appeal against High Court decision granting Hon. Bennett bail but increased the bail money from US$2 000 to US$5 000. As part of his stringent bail conditions, Hon Bennet will report three times a week at Harare Central Police Station and has surrendered his travel documents and the title deeds of his property to the Clerk of court.
Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku threw out the State’s appeal to set aside the lower court’s ruling to deny Hon. Bennett bail.
Hon. Bennett, who is facing trumped up charges of possessing dangerous weapons for purposes of insurgency, banditry and terrorism, has been in custody since February 13 this year, when he was arrested at Charles Prince Airport in Harare on his way to South Africa. He was granted US$2 000 bail by the High Court on February 24 but remained in custody after the State was granted seven days to lodge its appeal against the court’s decision.
However, the State unsuccessfully sought leave to appeal against the granting of Bennett bail at the High Court, before it was given the right to appeal at the Supreme Court last week.
MDC Information and Publicity Department
March 12th, 2009 13:16
Zimbabweans in the diaspora are enormously relieved to hear that Roy has finally been released and also know full well why he was targeted. We acknowledge the sacrifice he and Heather have made over a long period and wish them, and their family God’s blessings.
March 12th, 2009 14:00
Alleluia. God is good.
March 12th, 2009 16:17
The spirit of god is moving in zimbabwe allellua
March 12th, 2009 16:45
Thank God that Roy is free. Now give the man a chance to turn around the disastrous Agricultural Ministry. He is the right man for the job. He will root out the corruption and incompetence.
March 12th, 2009 20:30
There has got to be an end to this disgraceful political persecution. Dangerous weapons! pull the other one! Show ‘em Roy!
March 12th, 2009 20:40
@Ryan – God is good. Amen. The injustices are still horrific though. Zimbabwe cannot be rebuilt whilst the cancer of ZPF persists..
March 12th, 2009 21:15
@marcie –
so if the spirit of god got Roy out then it must have been responsible for locking him up too? Or does this spirit only work in one direction? A far more logical explanation is that popular demand and the fact that he is innocent got him out!
March 12th, 2009 22:47
The truth is prevailing Zimbabwe.God is great!!
March 13th, 2009 00:20
The best news of the week. God bless Roy Bennett and Zimbabwe. A huge victory for democracy and a milestone on the road to freedom.
March 13th, 2009 06:41
Great God our hero is released . You have been great and a pillar of strength. I know how you suffered and what they took away from you . You shall have your life and property back, God will give you a thousand more . Everytime I read about your persecution my heart bleeds.
I was actually raised at your property in the early 80s before you bought that Charlsewood Estate . Its an amazing place to be . I remember the coffee plantations and the tobacco with amazing vegetation and wild animals . We used to play in those mountains and swim in Zhunguni and Haroni.I guess nothing is left at that place . They have destroyed God’s land.
I know you will handle the Ministry of Agriculture with care , diligence , intelligence, responsibly and successifully.
LONG LIVE PACHEDU
March 13th, 2009 10:14
Well… actually your comment that God put him in prison, or at least allowed it to happen is true, just like God allowed Joseph in the bible to be put in prison and eventually led him out as ruler of all Egypt, second only to Pharoah. I believe Roy is more of a hero to the Zimbabwean people than before, he is stronger and he is steadfast. This experience was meant for his harm but all things work for the good of them that love God. By the way it also helped to protest and write letters and exert international pressure on a bunch of corrupt lawless thugs to secure his release.
March 13th, 2009 15:19
Praise God for this release and may Roy set the tables straight in the agricultural sector so that the people can eat again, he is just the man for the job and is loved by all sound minded Zimbos.
March 13th, 2009 17:48
Thank God… Roy is FREE. We will continue our prayers for you & Heather, Roy. Our admiration for you is enormous. God bless & keep you safe… we need people like you in Zimbabwe. Our love to you both.
March 13th, 2009 20:48
Thank God, Roy, thank God there are some who are not afraid to grant bail.
Things happen for a reason – if you had not been in jail, we would not have heard much about the deaths inside. Now they are exposed and can be addressed.
It is not over yet, though, be careful and protect Heather, Casey and Charles as well as yourself.
We are all proud to know you.
March 14th, 2009 01:50
Our prayers have been answered Roy Bennet you come out strong leader they can harm the flesh but they could’nt destroy your spirit you stood firm during those darkest days and nights alone but God was with you including the rest of the world’s prayers and for every innocent souls still in the dungeon arrested fighting for humanrights,oppression,freedom of speech and rule of law as a human being. It happenned for a reason God wanted you to endure the pain and be a witness as new leader and make changes for those innocent souls dying; we heard you Roy Bennet what happaned during those horrible days and nights; we hear and listen to what is happening; the whole world is with Zimbabweans God wills the sffering won’t be long; enough is enough how long can a human being endure torture, Lord Have Mercy with what is happening in Zimbabwe.
May God protect and keep you safe and your family, including the innocent souls still in the dungeon.
March 14th, 2009 12:02
Those that thronged the prison in Mutare are not just MDC members but I would refer them just as Zimbabweans. The spirit that was shown by those that came to witness the release of Bennett is what every zimbabwean is has.
March 16th, 2009 17:37
My vision-turn rural areas into export processing zones like was at Pachedu. Is that possible?