Author Archives: David Coltart
Revisit founding principles or perish
The Zimbabwe Independent By Phillip Pasirayi TAKURA Zhangazha wrote an incisive piece entitled, “MDC: looking beyond leadership crisis”, (The Standard, October 21). In his analysis of the political developments in the MDC, Zhangazha argues that the differences on whether the party must, or must not, participate in the senate elections are symptomatic of a serious […]
MDC endorses poll
The Herald Herald Reporters – NINE out of the 12 MDC provinces have endorsed the forthcoming Senate elections by successfully filing nomination papers in 26 constituencies at the close of the nomination courts yesterday. This has left the ruling Zanu-PF with 19 uncontested seats and its candidates automatically become Senators. The remaining seats are being […]
Senate election casts shadow on MDC
Zimbabwe Independent by: Ray Matikinye THE low-level conflict that emerged from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)’s national executive council meeting last Wednesday over whether or not to participate in the forthcoming election for a revived senate has cast a long shadow over the party’s ability to forge a united front to fight Zanu PF. […]
Mugabe henchmen ‘used food to win votes’
The Daily Telegraph 18th Oct 2005 By Peta Thornycroft in Harare A Zimbabwe judge has confirmed that President Robert Mugabe’s henchmen bought over opposition members with food in the March general election and threatened hungry peasants with starvation if they failed to back his ruling Zanu PF party. “It was made clear to the villagers […]
No Exit Visas but Critics Beware – Zimbabwe Justice Minister
Voice of America – news Justice Minister Patrick Chinimasa denied Thursday in an interview with VOA that the government intends to introduce exit visas for citizens wishing to travel abroad. Mr. Chinimasa said a constitutional amendment recently passed by parliament and signed into law by President Robert Mugabe allows the government to seize passports from […]
President Mugabe, Headed for UN, Signs Disputed Amendments into Law
Voice of America – news News that Zimbabwe had been granted a reprieve by the International Monetary Fund to settle its debt arrears was overshadowed Monday by word that President Robert Mugabe had meanwhile signed into law a controversial bill amending the constitution to nationalize all farmland and empower the government to restrict foreign travel. […]
Zimbabwe’s most oppressive bill set to pass next Tuesday
SW Radio Africa By Violet Gonda Despite serious objections from the MDC, ZANU PF steamrollered another repressive bill through its first two readings in parliament. The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill has been described as the greatest challenge yet to Zimbabweans’ liberties. The two sides locked horns in parliament this week in a debate on […]
Zimbabwe Criticized for Planning Restrictions on Travel
Peta Thornycroft, Harare Zmbabwe civil rights advocates blasted the government’s proposed constitutional amendments that would, among other things, curtail the right of people to travel within the country and abroad. The government says the limit on travel is in public interest. President Robert Mugabe’s government says the constitutional amendment to restrict peoples’ movements is a […]
Zimbabwe Criticized for Planning Restrictions on Travel
By Peta Thornycroft Harare – Zmbabwe civil rights advocates blasted the government’s proposed constitutional amendments that would, among other things, curtail the right of people to travel within the country and abroad. The government says the limit on travel is in public interest. President Robert Mugabe’s government says the constitutional amendment to restrict peoples’ movements […]
Crimes against humanity: Zimbabwe
University of New South Wales Zimbabwe’s Shadow Justice Minister, David Coltart, has called for Australia’s help to indict President Robert Mugabe for crimes against humanity. He warned that without international intervention, the current demolition campaign in Zimbabwe could turn to genocide. Mr Coltart was speaking at a briefing hosted by the Australian Human Rights Centre […]