Mugabe wins on Bennett

BY PATIENCE NYANGOVE PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe will finally have his way in the stalemate over the appointment of MDC-T treasurer general Roy Bennett as deputy Agriculture minister when Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai withdraws the former commercial farmer’s nomination to Senate this week. Tsvangirai has been forced to take the drastic action after the popular politician missed 21 consecutive seatings of the Senate. He was forced into self-imposed exile in South Africa by sustained Zanu PF persecution. According to the law, if a senator misses 21 consecutive sittings he loses his seat. It was not clear yesterday who Tsvangirai had chosen to replace Bennett as senator and deputy Agriculture minister designate. Mugabe refused to swear in the former Chimanimani MP citing his race and colonial past. Bennett said he feared arrest if he returned to Zimbabwe after police indicated that they were looking for him in connection with a US$1 million lawsuit filed against him by High Court judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu. His legal woes came hard on the heels of his acquittal on terrorism, banditry and insurgency charges. MDC-T spokesman Nelson Chamisa yesterday confirmed the new developments. “It is true that Bennett’s period of absence outlived the stipulated time in parliament,” he said. “The next step would be taken in consultation with the other principal Mugabe with the MDC-T informing him on who it wants to replace Bennett. As you know, it’s a non-constituency post.” However , Chamisa refused to shed light on Bennett’s possible replacement although unconfirmed reports indicate that it would be a toss between Marondera Central MP Ian Kay’s wife Kerry and united MDC founding youth secretary-general Bekithemba Mpofu. Bennett, also popularly known as Pachedu by many MDC-T supporters, is the only ministerial designate Mugabe refused to accept. He is also likely to lose his post at the MDC-T congress with Mpofu, who holds a PHD in Finance from the UK, again being linked to the position.