Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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February 15, 2009

Zimbabwe Cabinet Pick Faces Terrorism Charges
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=224E9ED:A6F02AD83191E160473820A8B6E23EAC21A4E82C900CD027&
 
Security agents arrested Roy Bennett on Friday, shortly before he was to
be sworn in as deputy minister of agriculture 
Authorities in Zimbabwe have dropped treason charges against a would-be
member of the new government, but still plan to bring him to court
Monday to face other charges. Roy Bennett during interview with
Associated Press in Johannesburg, 23 Jun 2008 file photo Lawyers for Roy
Bennett, an MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) party member and ally
of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, say he faces charges of attempting
to commit acts of terrorism, insurgency and banditry. Security agents
arrested Bennett on Friday, shortly before he was to be sworn in as
deputy minister of agriculture. Mr. Tsvangirai said the arrest was
politically motivated and proves that elements within President Robert
Mugabe's party are determined to undermine the new power-sharing
government. Bennett is a white farmer whose property was expropriated
under President Mugabe's land reform program. He returned recently from
at least two years of self-imposed exile in South Africa. Bennett fled
there after Zimbabwean police sought to question him in connection with
the discovery of an arms cache. Prime Minister Tsvangirai was sworn in
Wednesday after months of wrangling over details on how to share power
with long-time President Mugabe. Zimbabwe's economy and humanitarian
situation have grown worse by the week while the sides argued. The
country is facing widespread food shortages, 94 percent unemployment, an
inflation rate in the hundreds of millions, and a cholera epidemic that
has now killed more than 3,500 people. Some information for this report
was provided by AFP and Reuters.


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