Alumnus personality profile: David Coltart (1982)
University of Cape Town: Law update Alumni News After graduating in December 1982 David joined Webb, Low and Barry (WLB) in Bulawayo. He was admitted as a legal practitioner of the High Court in February 1983. In April 1983, after being appointed Secretary of the Bulawayo Legal Practitioners Association, he established the first Legal Aid
Proposed media gag roundly condemned
The Financial Gazette THE Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Bill, which proposes punishment of up to 20 years imprisonment for anyone who publishes or communicates statements perceived to be prejudicial to the state, is unconstitutional and meant to close any “loopholes” in the existing repressive media laws, analysts said. The proposed law, which has miffed
The ball is now in SADC’s court
David Coltart On July 20, President Mugabe, in his speech marking the opening of parliament, announced that a number of electoral reforms would be introduced that would level the electoral playing field. Mugabe and Zanu PF disingenuously claimed that these reforms (including the establishment of a new Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the reduction of polling days
M.D.C – Decision to suspend its participation in further elections
Mail and Guardian (SA) The MDC’s decision to suspend its participation in further elections pending Zimbabwe’s compliance with the new SADC guidelines and principles for democratic elections seems to have taken many by surprise. It was assumed that the MDC would continue to place blind faith in Zanu (PF) eventually opening up the democratic space
Mugabe accused of plan to rig election
The Daily Telegraph 10th September 2004 By David Blair, Africa Correspondent Zimbabwe’s opposition yesterday accused President Robert Mugabe of preparing to rig the next election after a law was published giving him the power to appoint key figures overseeing the poll. Critics say he has begun a campaign to guarantee victory next March while giving
Response to Iden Wetherell’s opinion piece in the Mail And Guardian
The Zimbabwe Independent Iden Wetherell’s opinion piece “where is the yellow card?” in the Mail and Guardian 3rd September 2004 cannot go unanswered. It is argued that we should have given the Mugabe regime a yellow card prior to making the collective decision to suspend participation in all elections until there is full compliance with
Mooted Parly changes dismissed
Financial Gazette A BICAMERAL Parliament with 260-members, among other far-reaching changes to Zimbabwe’s august House, has been mooted, but analysts say the two-chamber legislature will be “toothless” unless it assumes “real” power. A bicameral parliamentary system provides for two chambers and observers say this prevents enactment of ill-considered laws by providing checks and balances. Of
The MDC – 5th Anniversary
On the MDC’s 5th Anniversary Zimbabwe has an extremely troubled history. It has never experienced true peace or true democracy since it was colonised in the 1890s. Our political culture has been dominated by violence, tyranny, racism, sexism and tribalism. The MDC from its inception has been determined to break Zimbabwe out of these shackles.
MDC article for Changing Times
Zimbabwe has an extremely troubled history. It has never experienced true peace or true democracy since it was colonised in the 1890s. Our political culture has been dominated by violence, tyranny, racism, sexism and tribalism. The MDC from its inception has been determined to break Zimbabwe out of these shackles. The MDC has a vision
Zanu PF Woos Female MDC Legislators
Financial Gazette ZANU PF, which is pressing for the introduction of a 260-member bicameral parliament, is lobbying female legislators in the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) to support the proposed constitutional amendments, expected to be tabled in parliament in the next few weeks. ZANU PF officials were this week tight-lipped on the details of the