You know, the more we look at the supposed power-sharing government, the more of a joke it is. Sadly - not the kind of joke you laugh at!

Robert Mugabe is not interested in sharing power - of that we are positive.

I have noted on my main page - “The Bearded Man” - Mugabe’s continued silence since his pathetic “hand of friendship” speech.

It has been suggested in some newspaper articles that the arrest of Roy Bennett was a front for the Joint Operations Command (JOC) to play a strong hand in a bid for immunity from prosecution.

“You want Bennett, give us immunity” security chiefs demand - one headline read…

It is further suggested that Mugabe not only no longer has control in Zimbabwe - and has bought himself (well, his wife has purchased on their behalf) a castle-like home in Hong Kong.

More and more reports sideline Mugabe and look to the JOC for being the brains behind the Bennett charges.

One can easily understand the anger of Roy Bennett’s wife, Heather, who spoke to SW Radio Africa’s Violet Gonda about the case.

“Bennett’s wife Heather spoke for the first time since her husband was arrested last Friday. She told SW Radio Africa she is very disappointed with South Africa and SADC for failing to pressure Robert Mugabe. She also called on Morgan Tsvangirai to pull out of the power share, if Bennett is not immediately released.

Speaking on the phone from her home in South Africa she said this is a litmus test and “if Morgan Tsvangirai has no power to protect his top leadership, the rest of the country is in big trouble because nothing is going to change.”

Roy Bennett is not a criminal. Far from it! But Mugabe (or those that rule in his stead) is determined to have his head on a platter as an example to the watching Zimbabweans not to even think about crossing him - now or in the future.

“MDC Treasurer General and Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate Roy Bennett was remanded in custody until 4th March, when he appeared at the Mutare Magistrate’s court on Wednesday. His defence team is expected to make an urgent bail application in the High Court on Thursday.

The MDC official had been slapped with treason charges, including illegal arms possession and of trying to leave the country illegally, the previous day.

Magistrate Livingstone Chipadze ruled that there is enough evidence on the first charge of banditry and terrorism to face trial, but cleared him on the immigration offence because the State had no evidence.”

I am sure that you will agree that the Magistrate has erred in this ruling, deciding that Bennett is guilty even before he has been asked to plead.

Speaking with another Zimbabwean just yesterday, I indicated my unhappiness that I had worked within the very same judiciary, and we agreed that Mugabe’s justice is a tough one to face: “Guilty until proven guilty.”

The charges are the same charges that other MDC officials faced a few years ago - and they were acquitted!

“At that time Bennett’s other co-accused Peter Hitschmann, was acquitted of the same charges of terrorism. However he was found guilty and jailed for three years for possessing unregistered firearms.”

It obviously escaped the notice of the Magistrate overseeing that case, that Hitschmann was a licensed gun dealer…

Maybe the headline under which this editorial languishes is incorrect - the plea for Bennett’s release should be to the JOC, not to Mugabe himself.

None the less, ZANU PF should look beyond their own misdeeds and give the unity government a chance, instead of attempting to shortcut their own requirements to the top of the agenda.

Not for the first time in Zimbabwe, “Free Roy Bennett!”

Robb WJ Ellis
The Bearded Man