Bennett had just returned from South Africa where he had been living in exile, when he was arrested in February last year, soon after the formation of the coalition government.
Using these trumped up charges against Bennett as an excuse, Robert Mugabe has consistently refused to swear him into the new government.
But a statement from the MDC on Monday said: “The judiciary has clearly assisted in the resolution of one of the outstanding issues of the inclusive government. As a party, we look forward to the speedy swearing-in of Hon Bennett to his position as Deputy Minister of Agriculture where the party deployed him.”
“His acquittal leaves the enemies of real change with no excuse whatsoever as to why Hon Bennett cannot be allowed to serve his country. His acquittal is also an indictment on the person and office of the Attorney General who has wasted the taxpayer’s money in besmirching and persecuting an innocent Zimbabwean.”
Soon after the verdict, the former white commercial farmer said: “I have always been innocent and under prosecution for a number of years. We stand firm that we are fortified and stronger to continue our fight for a better life and a new Zimbabwe and real change for the people of Zimbabwe.”
Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa said Bennett denied reports in the state media that claimed he had told a British newspaper that he had agreed to relinquish the post of Deputy Minister of Agriculture.
“He said to the media today it was not up to him to decide, he was misquoted and was not aware of any such deals,” reports Muchemwa.
* SW Radio Africa
