It's reported that Robert Mugabe is refusing to swear in Roy Bennett, the MDC Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate, to the new coalition government. It was expected that the former commercial farmer would be sworn in at the same time as the governors. But the issue of the governors is also still unresolved.The MDC politician fulfilled the first stage of becoming a cabinet
minister by being sworn in as a non-constituency Senator last
Wednesday. This was to enable him to take up his role, as only members
of parliament and the senate can be government ministers.
He missed the swearing in of Deputy Ministers after he was slapped with
what the MDC has described as extremely dubious terrorism charges, and
locked up in a Mutare Remand Prison.
According to MDC officials, Mugabe told a cabinet caucus on Monday that
he will not swear in Bennett, claiming he is facing serious charges.
This is despite the fact that the President swore in some MDC officials
such as Minister Eric Matinenga, who also still faces trumped up
political charges.
During the meeting it's alleged that Deputy Prime Minister Arthur
Mutambara asked Mugabe what would happen if Bennett was acquitted.
Mugabe is reported to have said; He will never be acquitted'.
We were not able to reach the Deputy Prime Minister to confirm this.
But MDC officials in the meeting say Mugabe's true feelings for Bennett
were exposed during the caucus meeting on Monday. Apparently the
President wanted to know why everyone is so fixated with Bennett',
with Mugabe asking questions such as: What is it about Roy Bennett?
Who is he? Can't the MDC get another person?'
It is not clear why Mugabe is so hostile towards Bennett or what Bennett might have done to warrant such deep hatred.
We were not able to get a comment from Bennett but it is understood he
is seriously concerned about his welfare. He also told the MDC
leadership that he would not mind stepping down from the position of
Deputy Minister if it would help, as he could still concentrate on
working within the party. But we are told the MDC leadership insist
that they are entitled to choose whoever they want to put in government
and will stick with their decision as a matter of principle.
What happens next waits to be seen, as it has also emerged that Mugabe
is refusing to give any ground over the issue of governors and
permanent secretaries. He is insisting that he won the June 27th run
off and is entitled to appoint these officials. All three political
parties had agreed that the MDC-T would have 5 governors, ZANU PF 4 and
1 from the MDC-M.
But MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said the issue of the governors and
permanent secretaries is still under discussion by the three principals
– Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara. He said the discussion had been put
on hold because the Prime Minister was not available, having taken time
off to recuperate after the tragic accident that killed his wife and
left him injured.
Chamisa said there are several issues that remain unresolved for the
unity government such as, the appointments of Reserve Bank Governor
Gideon Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana, Bennett's swearing
in, the issue of the farm invasions and the dispute over Chamisa’s
Information and Technology Ministry.
In a related matter, a Prime Minister traditionally moves into State
House, but it is also reported that Mugabe is refusing to make way for
Morgan Tsvangirai as he uses State House for official functions, such
as receiving ambassadors and visiting Heads of State. Mugabe occupies
Zimbabwe House and uses the State House for official engagements.
When asked for comment, Tsvangirai's spokesman James Maridadi said the
Prime Minister was not keen to occupy the State House. Maridadi said:
The last time I spoke to the Prime Minister about the issue of his
residence, he said Zimbabwe needs economic stability and national
healing and those are his issues of priority. Not the kind of house he
is going to sleep in or the kind of car he is going to drive.
SWRadio Africa
Post published in: News