Chief Rallies Behind Bennett

Chimanimani - Chief Ringisai Chikukwa of Chikukwa communal lands in Chimanimani is leading a group of traditional leaders in the area who are pushing for the return of MDC Deputy Agriculture Minister –Designate Roy Bennett at his Pachedu farm in the area.

The farm, which was seized from the former legislator in 2003 during the chaotic land invasions orchestrated by war veterans and Zanu (PF) supporters, falls under chief Chikukwa’s area.

“We want Bennett, our son to come back at his farm and continue his farming activities. He was doing a lot for our people and our area,” said Chief Chikukwa in an interview with Radio VOP.

The chief said last week he held a meeting with his headmen in the area and
resolved to engage government through the Ministry of Lands over Bennett’s reinstament at the former leading coffee producing farm in the area.

“During Bennett’s time all headmen in my area used to get a beast every year to carry out some traditional rituals such as rain making ceremonies. He used to do a lot for our people,” said the chief.

Chief Chikukwa said he has been following Bennett’s court proceedings with interest. Last week the chief traveled all the way from Chimanimani to Harare to attend the on going trial of the MDC –T treasurer General who is facing charges of illegal possession of weapons for purposes of terrorism, banditry and insurgency.
 
Meanwhile Justice Chinembiri Bhunu was on Thursday expected to make a ruling on the application by the state led by Attorney General, Johannes Tomana to impeach key state witness, Michael Peter Hirschman, who the state is claiming is distancing himself from the earlier statements he has made.

Bhunu was expected to make a ruling whether the state can impeach Hirschman or not. When a witness is impeached it means his testimony will not be reliable and the state can cross examine him to establish the truth if the judge rules in favour of the impeachment.

Defence lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa told journalists outside the High court that one of the two assessors in the treason case could not attend the court.

"We have just been told that the trial continues on Monday, they said its something to do with the assessors," Mtetwa said.

Hirschman who had arrived in time for the court session told journalists that he was told that one of the assessors had been involved in a car accident.

"They said we cannot continue as one of the assessors was involved in a car accident. So we will continue Monday,"Hitschmann said.