Zimbabwe's Prime minister and MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai Wednesday said Roy Bennett remains his deputy agriculture minister despite President Robert Mugabe's failure to swear him into office after his acquittal on terrorism charges.
The premier who was addressing journalists in the capital Harare sacked four ministers and reassigned others from his MDC party for lack of performance said the issue of Bennett remained a contested issue in the coalition government he signed with Mugabe adding that it has been referred to the regional mediator,South Africa's president, Jacob Zuma,who is the go-between in the Southern African country's political crisis,
"I have already appointed him (Bennett) as my deputy agriculture minister and it will remain like that until this matter has been resolved," he said.
'The issue remains a disputed area because in spite of President Mugabe's commitment that Bennett would be sworn in once acquitted but he (Mugabe) is still to swear him.
“The issue together with other unresolved issues has been referred to the mediator, South African President, Jacob Zuma,” he said
Bennett, who is MDC treasurer general was acquitted on terrorism charges early last month but the state is contesting the high court decision.
The issue is still pending at the Supreme court to date.
MDC has in the past accused Mugabe and his Zanu PF party of politically persecuting the former white farmer, when the charges of terrorism cropped up.
