The terrorism trial of the MDC Treasurer General Roy Bennett continued in the High Court on Monday with the first State witness, Chief Superintendent James Makone, concluding his testimony.

The police officer is among 14 State witnesses, including Peter Michael Hitschmann who is alleged to be an accomplice to the MDC official. The prosecution's key witness, Hitschmann is a firearms dealer who was jailed in 2006 for possessing dangerous weapons, but was acquitted of the terrorism charges facing Bennett. Hitschmann has said he does not want to testify against Bennett because he was tortured into making false confessions, while in custody.

Meanwhile, Makone - who is the lead investigating officer, revealed in court that he had not yet completed the investigations in the controversial trial of the Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate.

Defence Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa told the High Court that the case against her client is based on 'false evidence,' and that the State had failed to link Bennett to a plot to overthrow the then Mugabe regime. She also asked how the State could bring to trial a case that was still under investigation. "What if they discover that what they are trying him for is based on what is not real? This is inadmissible evidence that we are saying should be struck out."

Journalist Chengetai Zvauya told SW Radio Africa that the investigating officer's testimony was 'incoherent and inconsistent.' The Chief Superintendent also claimed they had found evidence showing that Bennett had paid Hitschmann $5 000 to acquire weapons to eliminate government officials, and the money was allegedly deposited in Hitschmann's account in Mozambique. But the State witness failed to link the MDC official to the money deposited into Hitschmann's account.

The prosecution also claimed it had evidence taken from Hitschmann's laptop showing email correspondence with Bennett, but the defence team said the evidence should be struck off because State security agents had been given an opportunity to tamper with it, as the laptop had been confiscated when Hitschmann was initially arrested.

The trial continues on Tuesday with a second state witness taking the stand.