Senior police officer 'disappears' with Bennett's passport

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Written by David

Wednesday, 04 March 2009 23:17

LAWYERS representing incarcerated top MDC official, Roy Bennett, in Mutare have accused the police of frustrating efforts to have the junior minister designate released on bail. The lawyers say a senior police officer, Superintendent James Sipo Makone, the investigating officer, has apparently disappeared with Bennett's passport.
Trust Maanda said this was a deliberate attempt to frustrate Bennett's ability to comply with bail conditions imposed by the High Court last week.
Justice Tedious Karwi last week granted Bennett bail but the Attorney General's office immediately launched an appeal against the ruling.
Bennett is still languishing in remand prison because the AG's office has seven days in which to note their appeal. The seven day period elapses today (Tuesday).
He will appear on Thursday at the magistrate courts' for further remand.
But his lawyers say should the AG's office lose their appeal Bennett may not get his freedom because he will fail to comply with bail conditions.
The High Court ordered Bennett to surrender his passport, deposit US$2000, report twice to the police and not to interfere with witnesses.
We are afraid the (police) are finding ways to delay Bennett's release unnecessarily, Maanda told journalists in this eastern border city, 265km east of the capital, Harare.
They want to frustrate his ability to comply with bail conditions.
Maanda said should the AG's office fail to succeed in their appeal Bennett will remain incarcerated because his passport is not available.
Superintendent Makone took Bennett's passport and has disappeared with it, Maanda said. But we have launched a man-hunt for the police officer. He was transferred to Bindura but he is not there.
He said efforts to locate Superintendent Makone have been unsuccessful. There was no immediate comment from the police.
Bennett, appointed Deputy Minister of Agriculture, faces charges of terrorism, sabotage, banditry or insurgency. He denies the charges saying they are politically motivated.
He was due to be sworn in as a junior minister in an inclusive government but failed because he was in custody.Senior police officer 'disappears' with Bennett's passport.

Zimbabwejournalists.com

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