MDC Treasurer General, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate, Senator Roy Bennett, earlier today appeared at the Harare Central police station for routine reporting to the police in line with his bail conditions. He was informed that he had to see the Officer-in-Charge of Harare
Central police station, Detective Inspector Dowa. Detective Inspector
Dowa was, at the time, said to be in a meeting, and he instructed
Detective Inspector Muchada who questioned Senator Bennett as to where
he is staying even though the police have a clear record of this.
Senator Bennett was then forced to take four plain clothes police
officers, who refused to give both their names and force numbers, to
his residence.
Senator Bennett informed his lawyer, renowned human rights lawyer,
Beatrice Mtetwa, about this threatening behaviour of the police. Ms
Mtetwa has since written to the police inquiring about this unnecessary
intimidation.
We have consistently stated that the charges against Roy Bennett have
no basis in law and as such they should be dropped. Senator Roy Bennett
is the MDC’s nominee for Deputy Minister of Agriculture and he should
be sworn in without further delay. The country needs to return to the
rule of law, and the respect for people’s human rights.