Zimbabwe

Deputy ministers sworn in, but Bennett remains in prison

Article published on the 2009-02-19 Latest update 2009-02-19 19:40 TU

The court in Matare where Roy Bennett is being held
(Photo: Reuters)

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe swore in 19 deputy ministers on Thursday as part of the new unity government. But opposition deputy agriculture minister Roy Bennett still remains in prison on criminal charges.

The ceremony which finalised Zimbabwe’s new power-sharing government included the swearing-in of 19 deputy ministers and five ministers of state without portfolio.

But although Bennett’s name was on the list of those invited to the ceremony, he did not appear and was not included on the final list released after the event.

Bennett is in custody on charges of possessing arms for the purposes of committing banditry, insurgency and terrorism, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

“It would appear that some key-people, perhaps you may want to call them hardliners, in Zanu-Pf and in the military and security organs of the state, are totally against the appointment of Roy Bennett as the Deputy Minister of Agriculture,” says Dr Eldred Masunungure from the University of Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai faces big challenges after the formal ceremony. In every state sector the government will have to take emergency action.

“We are talking of emergency interventions in various sectors,” said Tsvangirai, “corruption will not be tolerated,” he added.

“There are a lot of things going on behind the scenes, in terms of interaction between the new Prime Minister and the President,” Dr Masunungure, a specialist in political science, told RFI.

The case against Bennett has been adjourned till 4 March. Mugabe celebrates his birthday on Saturday, he will be 85 years old.