Harare — MDC-T treasurer Roy Bennett's trial on allegations of possessing weaponry for terrorism and inciting acts of insurgency continued yesterday with the defence winding up its cross-examination of the State's first witness.

Ms Beatrice Mtetwa concluded her cross-examination of the investigating officer, Chief Superintendent Sipho James Makone, after he first took to the witness stand four days ago.

Ms Mtetwa argued that Chief Supt Makone had not established the link between the exhibits recovered from arms dealer Michael Hitschmann and Bennett.

She blasted the police for "shoddy" investigations.

Ms Mtetwa said Chief Superintendent Makone's failure to record a witness' statement after Bennett's arrest exhibited poor investigation by a senior police officer.

"Your investigation in this case was extremely shoddy for someone of your experience. You have been in the force for 27 years.

"You should have known that a witness' statement was important for your case.

"Your failure to record the statement from Hitschmann upon Bennett's arrest amounted to gross dereliction of duty. You did not record the statement because you knew he was not implicating Bennett," Ms Mtetwa charged.

But Chief Supt Makone defended his position, saying it was not important to record Hitchmann's statement since he had been recorded testifying on a video clip.

"I did not find it relevant to record the statement since it had already been recorded in camera. I was not obliged to record that statement," he said.

She suggested that the e-mails relied upon by the State could have been created by the police or State security agents.

Ms Mtetwa also said the Central Intelligence Organisation and the Zimbabwe National Army were in control of Hitschmann's investigations, saying Chief Supt Makone was a "mere spectator".

"You did not charge other people mentioned in the 2006 March statements by Hitschmann, including (current co-Home Affairs Minister) Giles Mutsekwa," she said.

Chief Supt Makone countered saying the suspects -- including Minister Mutsekwa -- were arrested but later released for lack of incriminating evidence.

He said some were even taken to court for the charges.

Chief Supt Makone emphasised that he was with Hitschmann at the time of his arrest and that there was no possibility that he was tortured or mistreated without his knowledge.

The trial continues today with the second State witness taking to the stand.

The State intends to call 13 witnesses.