Attorney General law officers delay Bennett’s trial – ZLHR
ZLHR Press Release – 13 Oct : Law officers from the Attorney General (AG)’s Office on Tuesday 13 October 2009 delayed the commencement of the trial of Deputy Agriculture Minister-Designate and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Treasurer Roy Bennett.
Michael Mugabe, who is leading the team of law officers from the AG’s Office in the prosecution of Bennett failed to arrive for the trial, which was scheduled to begin at 8:30 am in the eastern border town of Mutare.
The area public prosecutor Arnold Chiwara applied for the matter to be stood down to 14:30 pm pending the arrival of the law officers.
Magistrate Lucy Mungwari granted the application and stood down the matter to 14:30 pm.
Bennett is standing trial for allegedly contravening section 10 (1) of Public Order and Security Act (POSA) (Chapter11:17).
The State alleges that the former Chimanimani legislator was found in possession of weapons with an intention to commit sabotage, terrorism, banditry and insurgency.
He is also accused of contravening section 25 (1) of the Immigration Act in that he did not present himself to an immigration officer at a port of exit when he prepared to leave for South Africa from Charles Prince Airport, a charge which was thrown out at the initial remand proceedings.
