'You want Bennet, give us immunity' security chiefs demand

By Never Kadungure

Zimbabwe's security chiefs fearing prosecution for crimes against humanity are trying to use the arrest and detention of Deputy Agriculture Minister designate Roy Bennet, former television anchor Jestina Mukoko and 30 other political prisoners as bargaining chips to secure their own immunity from prosecution.

The former white farmer who lost his Chimanimani farm in violent land seizures several years ago is facing charges drawn from draconian legislation relating to terrorism, illegally possessing firearms, and attempting to leave the country illegally. The MDC have already dismissed the charges as politically motivated.

Authoritative sources within the MDC have told us that Bennet is aware of the ZANU PF conditions for his release and has refused to be used in the bargaining. He insists he is innocent of all charges placed on him. By Tuesday the police had changed the charges for a record equaling fifth time after realizing they would not stick.

Last year the notorious and brutal Joint Operations Command (JOC) spearheaded the murder of over 180 opposition activists to secure Mugabe's violent re-election in June. It is suspected the service chiefs behind the operation and their cohorts lower down the ranks have been unwilling to allow Mugabe to share power with Morgan Tsvangirai.

Bennet's arrest has already triggered speculation Mugabe may not be in complete control of the country. The other side of the coin is that he may fully approve of the strategy given his own reluctance to share power genuinely. It was always felt Mugabe did not think the MDC would join his government and when Tsvangirai said yes, Mugabe was shocked into confusion.

Meanwhile on Tuesday Tsvangirai held his first ever meetings with the ministers of Home Affairs (Kembo Mohadi), Defence (Emerson Mnangagwa) and National Security (Sidney Sekeremayi). MDC MP and co-Home Affairs Minister Giles Mutsekwa is still outside the country on party business and was absent from the meetings.