I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Roy Bennett has been acquitted of treason by a court in Zimbabwe.
Bennett was arrested in February 2009 only days after he had been appointed as Deputy Minister of Agriculture by Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has been struggling to maintain a power sharing agreement with Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwean African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF).
Although the MDC is trying to keep Mugabe honest his thugs continue to confiscate white owned commercial farms. Here's an interview Bennett did following his release from jail. While Bennett might be in the clear at the moment he and other white farmers who have joined the MDC represent a threat to Mugabe. As long as anyone represents a threat to Mugabe they can never be entirely safe.
The situation is bleak but Zimbabweans are nothing if not a resourceful people. Recently, I finished reading a book called The Last Resort by Douglas Rogers documenting his parents travails in Zimbabwe over the past decade. I highly recommend it. Another good book on contemporary Zimbabwe is Peter Godwin's When A Crocodile Eats The Sun which I reviewed on the IC main page more than 2½ years ago.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
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2 comments:
Aaron, thanks for mention of my book on your site, much appreciated. Ya, they acquitted Bennett but the state will appeal it. They use the judicial system as extra level of supression. but resourceful is right and bennett is pretty tough. thanks again - douglas rogers
www.douglasrogers.org
Yes, I agree that Bennett isn't out of the woods. But as you know better than I you take victory when it comes your way.
A very dear friend of mine is from Zimbabwe. I write about him in my review of Godwin's book.
BTW, I have recommended your book to my Mom.
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