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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Zimbabwe judge held over MDC bail | Zimbabwe judge held over MDC bail |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Police in Zimbabwe have arrested a magistrate who ordered the release of MDC ministerial nominee Roy Bennett. | |
| Other magistrates in the town of Mutare have gone on strike in solidarity with Livingstone Chipadze, officials say. | Other magistrates in the town of Mutare have gone on strike in solidarity with Livingstone Chipadze, officials say. |
| "It is frightening if a magistrate is arrested because he has passed a judgment that is not popular with the state," Mr Bennett's lawyer said. | "It is frightening if a magistrate is arrested because he has passed a judgment that is not popular with the state," Mr Bennett's lawyer said. |
| Mr Bennett remains in custody. He was seized on the day MDC ministers joined a power-sharing government. | Mr Bennett remains in custody. He was seized on the day MDC ministers joined a power-sharing government. |
| He is accused of links to an alleged plot to kill President Robert Mugabe. | He is accused of links to an alleged plot to kill President Robert Mugabe. |
| But the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says the arrest is a political manoeuvre by hard-line supporters of Mr Mugabe to destabilise the unity administration. | But the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says the arrest is a political manoeuvre by hard-line supporters of Mr Mugabe to destabilise the unity administration. |
| Warrant seized | Warrant seized |
| Zimbabwean journalist David Farira in Mutare, on Zimbabwe's eastern border, says Mr Chipadze faces charges of criminal abuse of office. | Zimbabwean journalist David Farira in Mutare, on Zimbabwe's eastern border, says Mr Chipadze faces charges of criminal abuse of office. |
| Magistrate Chipadze is accused of improperly allowing Mr Bennett's lawyers to post bail of $2,000 and complying with other bail conditions on Tuesday. | Magistrate Chipadze is accused of improperly allowing Mr Bennett's lawyers to post bail of $2,000 and complying with other bail conditions on Tuesday. |
| ROY BENNETT Farmer2000: Elected MP2004: Jailed after pushing minister in parliament2006: Accused of plot to kill President Mugabe2006: Fled to South Africa2009: Nominated as deputy agriculture minister2009: Arrested Profile: Zimbabwe's political farmer | ROY BENNETT Farmer2000: Elected MP2004: Jailed after pushing minister in parliament2006: Accused of plot to kill President Mugabe2006: Fled to South Africa2009: Nominated as deputy agriculture minister2009: Arrested Profile: Zimbabwe's political farmer |
| After the bail money and his passport had been deposited with the Clerk of Court, a warrant to free Mr Bennett was issued. | After the bail money and his passport had been deposited with the Clerk of Court, a warrant to free Mr Bennett was issued. |
| Mr Farira told the BBC the warrant was immediately seized by a senior prison official, who then disappeared with it. | Mr Farira told the BBC the warrant was immediately seized by a senior prison official, who then disappeared with it. |
| It is not immediately clear when Mr Chipadze will be taken to court. | It is not immediately clear when Mr Chipadze will be taken to court. |
| Mr Bennett was granted bail by the High Court last week but the Attorney General office immediately appealed against the ruling. | Mr Bennett was granted bail by the High Court last week but the Attorney General office immediately appealed against the ruling. |
| The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the appeal to proceed and ruled that Mr Bennett would remain in custody until the case was heard. | The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the appeal to proceed and ruled that Mr Bennett would remain in custody until the case was heard. |
| Mr Bennett is a white farmer, whose land has been seized under Mr Mugabe's land reform programme. Some of his employees were killed and assaulted during the violence. | Mr Bennett is a white farmer, whose land has been seized under Mr Mugabe's land reform programme. Some of his employees were killed and assaulted during the violence. |
| An MP since 2000, he was jailed in 2004 after pushing a minister in parliament during a heated debate about land reform. | An MP since 2000, he was jailed in 2004 after pushing a minister in parliament during a heated debate about land reform. |
| After being accused of links to the alleged plot to kill Mr Mugabe in 2006, he fled to South Africa, saying he feared for his life. | After being accused of links to the alleged plot to kill Mr Mugabe in 2006, he fled to South Africa, saying he feared for his life. |
| Long-time rivals President Robert Mugabe and MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai last month formed a unity government after months of wrangling. | Long-time rivals President Robert Mugabe and MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai last month formed a unity government after months of wrangling. |
| They pledged to make reviving the economy a top priority, but analysts say Mr Bennett's arrest is causing serious difficulties for the fledgling administration. | They pledged to make reviving the economy a top priority, but analysts say Mr Bennett's arrest is causing serious difficulties for the fledgling administration. |