Support for Bennett overwhelming


roy_bennett.jpgHARARE - MDC treasurer-general, Roy Bennett, was described as a true cadre' of the nation by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai who paid homage to his yet-to-be-sworn-in Deputy Minister of Agriculture at two MDC rallies in Chegutu East and Harare on Sunday.

More than 30,000 people attended the rallies and gave Bennett a
jubilant welcome for the persecution he suffered as a result of a Zanu
(PF) campaign which saw him imprisoned in Mutare.

We salute you because without your sacrifices, the MDC would not be
what it is today, said President Tsvangirai about Bennett and all the
other brave MDC activists who suffered for their commitment to justice.

When Bennett took to the stage he said that he had been humbled by the
support he had received from the people during his incarceration but
added that there was an unstoppable wind of change engulfing the
country.

All the persecution I have suffered is unwarranted and an attempt to
stop the winds of change. When I was in prison you prayed for me. And I
want to thank you all the people of Zimbabwe for remaining resolute in
the face of such harassment and terror, he said.

As the crowds responded with deafening applause, Bennett explained, in fluent Shona, that Zimbabwe was the only home he knew.

This is my home, I am from Karoi where I was born but I relocated to
Chimanimani in 1993 where I bought a farm called Charleswood from
(business tycoon) Tiny Rowland, he said.

Bennett attributed the Zanu (PF) terror campaign to fear.

Zanu (PF) is scared of the people going to vote. The only thing that
can defeat Zanu (PF) is the X. No amount of persecution can stop an
idea whose time has come. These people think they can stop change by
refusing to swear me into office. But no one can ever go against the
people and God and hope to succeed, said Bennett.

After being nominated Deputy Minister of Agriculture by the MDC,
Bennett has still not been sworn into office because of pending charges
of attempting to assassinate President Robert Mugabe in 2006.

In 2005, after having been jailed for one year for pushing Justice
Minister Patrick Chinamasa in Parliament, Bennett went to South Africa
in 2006 when the charges of assassination were brought against him. He
returned home in February just before the formation of the inclusive
government.

BY STAFF REPORTER

Post published in: Politics

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