President Jacob Zuma held a meeting with Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Treasurer Roy Bennett on Thursday.

Bennett is being tried on banditry charges which the MDC said was a deliberate attempt to prevent his appointment as a government minister.

Bennett was summoned to Zuma's hotel at 10pm.

Zuma also met with Central Bank Chief Gideon Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana.

Bennett was arrested when he came back to Zimbabwe last February to be sworn in as Deputy Agriculture Minister.

He had guarantees from South Africa nothing would happen to him but he is now in the middle of a terrorism trial and could face the death penalty if convicted.

Bennett told Eyewitness News his meeting with Zuma lasted 20 minutes.

He said Zuma was not able to assure him when and if he would be sworn in as a junior minister. He said it was important any elections in Zimbabwe were free of violence.