Imprisonment
In 2004, during a parliamentary debate in which Justice Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, was pushing to amend the mandatory 3 year sentence for stock theft to 9 years, Bennett argued that only because the Zanu-PF Government had stolen cattle did they now want to revert to a repressive Rhodesian law. Chinamasa then said:
| “ | Mr. Bennett has not forgiven the government for acquiring his farm, but he forgets that his forefathers were thieves and murderers. | ” |
Bennett stood up and walked towards Chinamasa, shouting, "Unoda kundijairira iwewe! Unoda kuti ndiite sei? (Shona: Don't think you can get away with trying to take advantage of me! What do you want me to do?) Bennett then pushed Chinamasa who fell to the floor. He was kicked from behind by Anti-Corruption Minister Didymus Mutasa, who he then unsuccessfully tried to punch. Zanu PF MP, Elliot Manyika, reached for a gun in his jacket and threatened Bennett. The Sergeant at Arms escorted Bennett out of the chamber. Deputy Speaker Edna Madzongwe ejected Nelson Chamisa and Willias Madzimure for their involvement in the fight.
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition condemned the actions of Bennett and Chinamasa.
A bill of attainder was then passed. The parliamentary committee investigating the incident, which eventually imprisoned Bennett for 15 months, consisted of 3 Zanu PF MPs and 2 MDC MPs. While the MDC MPs vehemently defended Bennett, he was still imprisoned as Zanu PF had a majority of seats on the committee.
Read more about this topic: Roy Bennett (politician)
Famous quotes containing the word imprisonment:
“... imprisonment itself, entailing loss of liberty, loss of citizenship, separation from family and loved ones, is punishment enough for most individuals, no matter how favorable the circumstances under which the time is passed.”
—Mary B. Harris (1874–1957)