Free Roy Bennett
I’m way behind the times when it comes to understanding the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe. I caught up with some news today and was shocked to learn that a Member of Parliament, Roy Bennett, was jailed for shoving a Minister in the House.
Bennett admitted to unparliamentary behavior and apologised, but to be jailed for one year is most certainly a vindictive and excessive sentence. He has already spent more than 100 days in prison.
Bennett has been victimised for his political beliefs. His workers and family have been attacked by government militants, his cattle have been killed and his wife suffered a miscarriage from the stress.
The Opposition MDC has reluctantly agreed to contest the forthcoming election, knowing the system is rorted against it. Bennett has been nominated unanimously to represent the MDC in his constituency. I admire the courage of those who fight evil when the odds are stacked against them.
I'm a 41-year-old father of four working as a newspaper editor at Mount Gambier in South Australia.
