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Netters
Just for the record.
Why would Mr Tsvangirai import a lawyer from South
Africa? George Bizos, That
is the real problem with MDC they believe that there is no salvation in Zimbabwe
except in UK or South Africa, then I ask MDC what about the Zimbabweans that you
claim to represent? who represents them? or the are all able to get South
African lawyers? Or MDC is stating here and now that all lawyers in Zimbabwe are
incapable to represent them?
The danger we as non Zimbabweans have today is the
cutting Zimbabwe into two parts. (1) We have Robert Mugaabe, a man who believes
that Zimbabwe is in Africa and it belongs to Zimbabweans and (2) MDC a political
party, which is even an Opposition political party that believes that
Zimbabweans have no solution to the problems of their nation, a party which
believes that MDC as an opposition party, must look at United Kingdom, must look
at South Africa to get an answer to Zimbabwean problems. A Party which believes
that in its position it must win all motions brought up in parliament, and if
there is any sign to loose then we must all run out and end up in London for
Tony Blair will put our story on BBC.
But the main question remains, do you know that
Tony Blair can get out of power just like that? Then who will you as MDC be? May
be it is time you go to your electorate, you go to your own layers and build a
huge base based on population than in London. For if you will ever get into
power it will be through Zimbabweans not through Britain. That statement is true
and you can take it to the bank.
Em
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THE trial of MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and two other senior officials of the party facing high treason charges for allegedly plotting to assassinate President Mugabe opened at the High Court yesterday. Tsvangirai, the party�s secretary-general Welshman Ncube and Gweru Rural MP, Renson Gasela, all clad in new dark suits, stood motionlessly in the dock as charges against them were read. They pleaded not guilty after indicating to the court that they understood the charges. The three face the death sentence if found guilty. The trial opened before Judge president Justice Pardington Garwe and assessors Major Misheck Nyandoro and Mr Joseph Dangarembizi. The charges arose following a series of meetings between the three and leaders of a Canadian consultancy firm, Dickens and Madison, in 2001 in which they allegedly plotted to assassinate President Mugabe. South African lawyer Advocate George Bizos, who represented the three, confirmed they indeed met leaders of the Canadian firm on three occasions, but not to plot the assassination of President Mugabe. The trial started late in the afternoon after Advocate Bizos successfully applied for members of the MDC national executive, journalists and the public to be allowed access to court to listen to proceedings. This followed a commotion at the entrance of the High Court, as reporters, diplomats, and MDC supporters jostling to enter the premises were barred by the police who then cordoned off the area surrounding the court for security reasons. The trial attracted interest from several diplomats who included British High Commissioner Mr Brian Donnely, United States Ambassador Mr Joseph Sullivan and Germany Ambassador Mr Peter Schmidt. Britain, the United States and Germany have been openly supporting the MDC in various ways. Deputy Attorney General Mr Bharat Patel, who represented the State, told the court that the trio wanted to seize power from President Mugabe in an unconstitutional manner. Mr Patel said their opposition and desire for political power was not criminal as such, but it was their desire to overthrow President Mugabe and the Government to take over power through undemocratic means, which was criminal. "It is their unlawful desire of seeking to attain political power that the State seeks to punish," said Mr Patel. It is alleged that between August and September 2001, Mr Rupert Johnson (whose whereabouts are unknown) approached Dickens and Madison to facilitate the take over of power by MDC through the assassination of President Mugabe. On October 22, at Hilton Hotel, Terminal 4 Heathrow Airport in London, the suspects together with Mr Johnson held a meeting with the president of Dickens and Madison, Mr Ari Ben-Menashe. The three offered to hire the political consultant firm to execute the assassination of President Mugabe. To cover-up the act, it was allegedly proposed that MDC would enter into a political consultation contract with Dickens and Madison. The State further alleged that on November 3, a follow-up on the plot was held at Royal Automobile Club in London. The meeting was between Mr Johnson, who was representing MDC, and Mr Ben-Menashe and Ms Tara Thomas. Another meeting was allegedly held on December 4 2001 at Dickens and Madison headquarters in Montreal, Canada. The State would lead evidence from at least eight witnesses, including Mr Ben-Menashe and Air Marshal Perence Shiri, who is alleged by the defence to have been approached by MDC MPs Mr Job Sikhala and Mr Tafadzwa Musekiwa for assistance in the plot. Tsvangirai, Ncube and Gasela agreed in their defence outline that they held meetings with Dickens and Madison officials, but claimed they never discussed the killing of President Mugabe. "In these meetings, the situation of elections and the post-election outcome in Zimbabwe were discussed," said Adv Bizos. "There was no discussion about the assassination of President Mugabe or a coup at the instigation of the MDC or its office bearers." Adv Bizos said some of the issues discussed in the meetings included various scenarios which might result in the withdrawal of President Mugabe from the election, the transitional period that would follow and the need to obtain support of the security forces for a peaceful transition. He alleged that the recording of the proceedings of the meetings between the MDC officials and those for Dickens and Madison were done by supporters of President Mugabe and were meant to embarrass Tsvangirai and the MDC. The defence, Adv Bizos said, would challenge the recorded tapes and the transcript on various grounds that included they were inaudible. The trial is expected to continue today, with Mr Ben-Menashe, the key witness in the case being the first to testify. The prosecution team is composed of Mr Patel, director of public prosecution Mr Joseph Musakwa and chief law officer Mr Morgen Nemadire. The defence is made up of Advocates Bizos, Chris Anderson, Eric Matinenga instructed by Mr Innocent Chagonda and Mr David Coltart. The Mulindwas
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