Zimbabwe Supreme Court grants Bennett bail

Supreme Court Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku has upheld a High Court
decision, granting Roy Bennett bail. The decision was made on Wednesday
after the judge had heard arguments from both the prosecution and defence
teams the previous day.

The State had appealed in the Supreme Court against the granting of bail to
the MDC Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate, saying he was a flight
risk. Prosecutors had also recommended tighter bail conditions if the judge
decided to rule against their appeal.

The Chief Justice ruled against the state prosecutors saying they had no
grounds to oppose a previous High Court ruling ordering Bennett's release.

However, Justice Chidyausiku increased the bail payment from US$2000 to
US$5000, ordered Bennett to surrender title deeds and report to the police
three times a week. The State had wanted him to report everyday.

The MDC politician who has been in custody since February 13th is now
expected to be released from prison on Thursday. His lawyers said the
paperwork was going to be sent to the Mutare magistrates' court from Harare,
where he will post his bail payment with the clerk of court in the morning.

Last Wednesday Bennett's lawyers in Mutare successfully posted bail of US$2
000 and surrendered his passport after being granted bail by the High Court.
But prison officials disappeared with his release papers on the night of
posting bail and the Magistrate who accepted Bennett's bail payment and
documents was arrested the following day. Magistrate Livingstone Chipadze
who was released on bail on Saturday is being charged with criminal abuse of
authority.

Although wary about their reception in Mutare, Bennett's lawyers are hopeful
that this time around their client will be released, since the order is
coming from the country's highest court.

Meanwhile Claire Ingram, a woman who transported Bennett from his house to
the airport on the day he was arrested, was briefly detained herself on
Tuesday after a lengthy interrogation. Bennett who is facing weapons
charges denies the allegations of plotting to overthrow Robert Mugabe.