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MDC minister arrested in Harare | MDC minister arrested in Harare |
(40 minutes later) | |
A senior opposition official and ministerial nominee has been arrested in Zimbabwe just before a new power-sharing cabinet was sworn in. | A senior opposition official and ministerial nominee has been arrested in Zimbabwe just before a new power-sharing cabinet was sworn in. |
Roy Bennett, the MDC's choice to become deputy agriculture minister, was reportedly seized at a Harare airport. | Roy Bennett, the MDC's choice to become deputy agriculture minister, was reportedly seized at a Harare airport. |
The white farmer, who lost his property under President Robert Mugabe's land reform programme, has previously reported death threats. | The white farmer, who lost his property under President Robert Mugabe's land reform programme, has previously reported death threats. |
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Mr Mugabe have agreed to form a coalition. | MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Mr Mugabe have agreed to form a coalition. |
Despite the arrest, Mr Mugabe swore in the new cabinet at State House in the capital, Harare. | Despite the arrest, Mr Mugabe swore in the new cabinet at State House in the capital, Harare. |
Mugabe may be part of the problem, but he's also part of the solution MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai Can Zimbabwe's economy be fixed? However, it was delayed by two and a half hours in a row over the allocation of ministers. | Mugabe may be part of the problem, but he's also part of the solution MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai Can Zimbabwe's economy be fixed? However, it was delayed by two and a half hours in a row over the allocation of ministers. |
Under the power-sharing agreement, President Mugabe's Zanu-PF is to have 15 posts and the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) 16. | Under the power-sharing agreement, President Mugabe's Zanu-PF is to have 15 posts and the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) 16. |
But Zimbabwean journalist Brian Hungwe says an extra five Zanu-PF ministers of state turned up for the ceremony, and the issue was only resolved after intense closed-door negotiations. | But Zimbabwean journalist Brian Hungwe says an extra five Zanu-PF ministers of state turned up for the ceremony, and the issue was only resolved after intense closed-door negotiations. |
One MDC official was quoted as saying that the additional Zanu-PF officials were junior ministers, who are due to be sworn in next week. | One MDC official was quoted as saying that the additional Zanu-PF officials were junior ministers, who are due to be sworn in next week. |
Controversial figure | Controversial figure |
MDC spokesman Ian Makone said Mr Bennett was arrested at the small Charles Prince airport, north-west of the capital, Harare. | MDC spokesman Ian Makone said Mr Bennett was arrested at the small Charles Prince airport, north-west of the capital, Harare. |
On Thursday, Mr Bennett told the BBC that he was in hiding as the security services had issued an arrest warrant for him. | On Thursday, Mr Bennett told the BBC that he was in hiding as the security services had issued an arrest warrant for him. |
KEY CABINET APPOINTMENTS Zanu-PF: Emmerson Mnangagwa, seen as a possible successor to Robert Mugabe, defence Sydney Sekeramayi, ex-defence minister, state security Joseph Made, ex-agricultural minister, agriculture Patrick Chinamasa, chief negotiator of power-sharing deal, justice Kembo Mohadi, former home affairs minister, home affairs MDC: Tendai Biti, lawyer and ex-student leader, finance Giles Mutsekwa, lawyer with a military background, home affairsHenry Madzorera, trained doctor, healthEric Matinenga, lawyer who defended Mr Tsvangirai on treason charges, constitutional affairsRoy Bennett, former farmer, arrested, deputy agriculture minister Full profile: Tendai BitiZimbabwe deal: Key points | KEY CABINET APPOINTMENTS Zanu-PF: Emmerson Mnangagwa, seen as a possible successor to Robert Mugabe, defence Sydney Sekeramayi, ex-defence minister, state security Joseph Made, ex-agricultural minister, agriculture Patrick Chinamasa, chief negotiator of power-sharing deal, justice Kembo Mohadi, former home affairs minister, home affairs MDC: Tendai Biti, lawyer and ex-student leader, finance Giles Mutsekwa, lawyer with a military background, home affairsHenry Madzorera, trained doctor, healthEric Matinenga, lawyer who defended Mr Tsvangirai on treason charges, constitutional affairsRoy Bennett, former farmer, arrested, deputy agriculture minister Full profile: Tendai BitiZimbabwe deal: Key points |
Mr Bennett, a former MP, has long been a controversial figure. | Mr Bennett, a former MP, has long been a controversial figure. |
He was in prison from October 2004 to June 2005 - a sentence imposed by other MPs after he pushed a government minister during an argument in parliament over land reform. | He was in prison from October 2004 to June 2005 - a sentence imposed by other MPs after he pushed a government minister during an argument in parliament over land reform. |
He has only recently returned to Zimbabwe after more than two years in exile in South Africa. | He has only recently returned to Zimbabwe after more than two years in exile in South Africa. |
He fled Zimbabwe after police sought his arrest in connection with an alleged plot against President Mugabe. | He fled Zimbabwe after police sought his arrest in connection with an alleged plot against President Mugabe. |
Other MDC members who were arrested in connection with the same alleged plot were later released and charges dropped. | Other MDC members who were arrested in connection with the same alleged plot were later released and charges dropped. |
The BBC's Andrew Harding in Harare says Mr Bennett believes the latest development shows that Zanu-PF hardliners are trying to scupper the new coalition. | The BBC's Andrew Harding in Harare says Mr Bennett believes the latest development shows that Zanu-PF hardliners are trying to scupper the new coalition. |
"They want us to walk away from this deal. We've just got to be smarter than them," he said. | "They want us to walk away from this deal. We've just got to be smarter than them," he said. |
Before the swearing-in ceremony, MDC leader and Zimbabwe's new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told the BBC the country was "on its knees". | Before the swearing-in ceremony, MDC leader and Zimbabwe's new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told the BBC the country was "on its knees". |
He said the humanitarian situation needed to be tackled, schools re-opened and the cholera epidemic which has killed some 3,400 people ended. | He said the humanitarian situation needed to be tackled, schools re-opened and the cholera epidemic which has killed some 3,400 people ended. |
Tsvangirai: 'The country is on its knees, but we cannot solve everything' | |
"We have to find a solution to the country's crisis," he said. | "We have to find a solution to the country's crisis," he said. |
"Mugabe may be part of the problem, but he's also part of the solution. I am sure the reverse will also apply to me from their side. | "Mugabe may be part of the problem, but he's also part of the solution. I am sure the reverse will also apply to me from their side. |
"But we have reached the stage now where we say we have to have a negotiated settlement, for the sake of the people." | "But we have reached the stage now where we say we have to have a negotiated settlement, for the sake of the people." |
The economy is in meltdown, with the local currency virtually worthless and unemployment of some 90%. | The economy is in meltdown, with the local currency virtually worthless and unemployment of some 90%. |
Rivals | Rivals |
Correspondents say Friday's hitches show how difficult it will be for the coalition to work. | Correspondents say Friday's hitches show how difficult it will be for the coalition to work. |
Many of the Zanu-PF ministers have served in cabinet since Mr Mugabe was first elected in 1980. | Many of the Zanu-PF ministers have served in cabinet since Mr Mugabe was first elected in 1980. |
Several MDC ministers have been beaten or arrested for their opposition to Mr Mugabe.Robert Mugabe (R) swore his rival, Mr Tsvangirai, into office on Wednesday | |
Zanu-PF's Emmerson Mnangagwa, the new defence minister, has long been seen as a potential successor to Mr Mugabe and was accused of links to the 2008 election violence against the MDC. | Zanu-PF's Emmerson Mnangagwa, the new defence minister, has long been seen as a potential successor to Mr Mugabe and was accused of links to the 2008 election violence against the MDC. |
Sydney Sekeramayi, a former defence minister, takes the state security ministry which controls the feared Central Intelligence Organisation. | Sydney Sekeramayi, a former defence minister, takes the state security ministry which controls the feared Central Intelligence Organisation. |
MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti takes on the enormous challenge of finance, while as Health Minister Henry Madzorera is now in charge of tackling the cholera outbreak. | MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti takes on the enormous challenge of finance, while as Health Minister Henry Madzorera is now in charge of tackling the cholera outbreak. |
The formation of the government has also gone ahead despite MDC concern about the fate of imprisoned activists. | The formation of the government has also gone ahead despite MDC concern about the fate of imprisoned activists. |
The MDC says more than 30 people, including 72-year-old man Fidelis Charamba, are still being held after being abducted and illegally detained. | The MDC says more than 30 people, including 72-year-old man Fidelis Charamba, are still being held after being abducted and illegally detained. |
They have been accused of subversion and recruiting fighters to overthrow Mr Mugabe - charges denied by the MDC. | They have been accused of subversion and recruiting fighters to overthrow Mr Mugabe - charges denied by the MDC. |