Manicaland villagers protest at treatment of Bennett | Sunday Top Stories

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Manicaland villagers protest at treatment of Bennett

Written by Joel Mhizha

Saturday, 07 November 2009 13:51

CHIMANIMANI - Villagers are planning demonstrations in protest at the continued detention of MDC Treasurer and?Chimanimani South MP Roy Bennett (pictured) and the arrest of his lawyer Mordecai Mahlangu early this week.??
Villagers in Chakohwa and Nedzihwa said they were bitter at the continued harassment of Bennett, which they call racial discrimination.
Police from Harare Central’s law and order section arrested Mahlangu, accusing him of writing a letter to Tomana protesting against the sub poena directing Peter Hitschmann to testify in Bennett’s trial despite the fact that his statements were extracted through torture.
“We are very much disturbed by the continued harassment of Honourable Bennett who is key to the development of this area. We are saying if he committed a crime like they are saying, why not try him once and for all, rather than tormenting him,” said one villager.
“Bennett is a Zimbabwean and is the one who made our people here survive over the past difficult years through giving them food that the corrupt Zanu (PF) officials were instead selling to the poor, hungry peasants.”
Another villager added: “The arrest of his lawyer is clear testimony of the government’s cruelty and obstruction of justice. They want to influence the conviction of Bennett.
“We are going to stage some demonstrations to express our disappointment over the Bennett issue.”
MDC (T) MP for Chimanimani West Lynett Karenyi said morale in Chimanimani was low and people were frustrated. ?
“We have failed to control the temper of villagers here who are saying Bennett is an important element in the area. They are saying he helped a lot in providing them with basic needs and contributed immensely to the development of their area,” she said.
The senator for Mutare, Keresencia Chabuka, said the entire Manicaland province was unhappy with how Bennett was being treated.
“People are really disappointed and the words of demonstrating have reached us. It’s unfair to treat him like a foreigner because he is white. He is a Zimbabwean and besides being white he is a human being whose rights need to be respected,” she said.
Bennett is facing several charges including plotting to topple President Mugabe and is set to stand trial on November 9. If convicted, he could be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.

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