Author Archives: David Coltart
President of Zimbabwe Defies Court Order to free 2 Journalists
New York Times By Donald G. McNeil Jr. Published: February 8, 1999 JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 6— In an angry televised address, the President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, pushed his country toward a constitutional crisis this weekend. The President suggested that the Supreme Court resign, threatened ”stern measures” against the independent press and appeared to support the […]
The Culture of Human Rights in Zimbabwe and Its Relevance to the Constitutional Debate
THE 1998 LAW SOCIETY OF ZIMBABWE SUMMER SCHOOL Introduction The phrase “culture of human rights” evokes many different meanings in different people. One person’s definition of “culture” will differ very greatly from another person’s definition. Likewise the term “human rights” on its own is usually interpreted subjectively. What one person may view as a human […]
Speech – Bulawayo Club
Mr Chairman, Gentlemen, When Bill Lewis asked me about a month ago to speak tonight I was delighted for two reasons. Firstly I looked forward to the opportunity of being able to speak to fellow members and friends. I’m afraid that that hope has been dashed somewhat because a few moments ago, the Chairman turned […]
Speech by David Coltart: Real Estate Institute of Zimbabwe
After Dinner Speech to the Real Estate Institute of Zimbabwe By David Coltart 6th June 1998 When Craig Friend phoned me this week to invite me to speak to you tonight I think he was somewhat foolhardy because not only did he allow me to speak on a topic of my choosing by also he […]
Paper by David Coltart: A Critique of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and Some Thoughts as to What Should Be Included in a New Constitution
A Critique of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and Some Thoughts as to What Should Be Included in a New Constitution By David Coltart 9th May 1998 Constitutional Reforms and Requisite Guarantees of Fundamental Human Freedoms: Workshop on the Media and the National Constitution A CRITIQUE OF OUR EXISTING CONSTITUTION History: General Observations At the outset […]
A Critique of a Public Order and Security Bill
Speech Given at a Public Forum Organized by the Christian Communicators Association of Zimbabwe: Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel Introduction I have been asked this evening to debate the Public Order and Security Bill with the Minister of Home Affairs, the Honourable Dumiso Dabengwa. He has asked that I speak first so that he is able to […]
Letter by David Coltart: Constitutional Conference
Constitutional Conference Letter to the the Zimbabwean Independent from David Coltart 6th February 1998 As Zimbabwe absorbs what has happened to its body politic over the last few months it is astonishing that most of us seem to be busy apportioning blame rather than working out solutions to the catastrophe facing our Nation. Professor Hawkins, […]
Michael Swango: Doctor of Death
Crime Library on truTV.com 27th June 1997 By Joseph Geringer Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing Banana-coloured skies, crooked eucalyptus trees and a veldt that stretched outward until it fell over the horizon. This was Swango’s newest home, Zimbabwe, southern Africa. A place where he thought he would be safe from a democracy that didn’t like cyanide […]
Breaking The Silence – A Report on the Disturbances in Matabeleland and the Midlands, 1980-1988
The full version of the ‘Breaking the Silence’ report is available for downloading here in PDF format. The report is 275 pages long, and 7.50MB in filesize. Click on the link below to download the document: Breaking The Silence – A Report on the Disturbances in Matabeleland and the Midlands, 1980-1988
Speech By David Coltart: Objections to the 14th Amendment to the Zimbabwe Constitution
Objections to the 14th Amendment to the Zimbabwe Constitution By David Coltart 5th August 1996 Rotary Club South Introduction Mr Winston Churchill, speaking in the House of Commons in 1910, spoke the following words: “The mood and temper of the public in regard to the treatment of crime and criminals is one of the most […]