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- Born in Gweru, Zimbabwe on the 4th October 1957.Schooled at Hillside Primary School and Christian Brothers College, Bulawayo.
- Married to Jennifer Reine Coltart.
- Four children: Jessica, Douglas, Scott and Bethany (20, 17, 14 and 6 respectively).
- Extra mural activities include touch rugby, squash, golf and cricket.
- Avid rugby and cricket spectator.
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| 2008 |
- March: Elected Senator for the Khumalo Senatorial Constituency of Bulawayo for the MDC.
- March: Delivered paper to Liberal Democrats (UK) Lawyer’s Conference at Exeter College, Oxford, speech on “The International Responsibility to Protect Doctrine - A Zimbabwean perspective”.
- January: Delivered a speech in memory of Martin Luther King Junior on Martin Luther King Day in Columbus, Georgia, USA
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| 2007 |
- December: Participated in a Conference on “The Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect: Challenges for the UN” organised by the Centre for Conflict Resolution and the Office of the UN Special Representative for the Prevention of Genocide,in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
- September: Debated in an Intelligence Squared debate on the topic “Britain has failed Zimbabwe” with Peter Godwin, Professor John Makumbe, Poet Chenjerai Hove, R.W. Johnson and Tendai Biti MP, in London.
- August: Delivered a paper on “A review of the June 2007 G8 meeting: An African perspective” at a conference convened by the Konrad Adenhauer Foundation in Windhoek, Namibia.
- May: Appointed Chairperson of the Constitutional technical support committee for the MDC (Mutambara formation) in the SADC/President Mbeki inter party negotiations
- March: Travelled to Germany and the United Kingdom to lobby for support in the aftermath of the March 11 torture and illegal detentions of opposition leaders and activists
- March: Observed Finland’s March 2007 election
- February: Delivered speech on the role of the Judiciary in Africa at the Mont Pelerin Society meeting in Nairobi, Kenya
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| 2006 |
- Nominated member of intra MDC negotiation team representing Mutambara formation
- Delivered speeches on Civic organisations in Africa in Brussels and China’s involvement in Africa in Berlin
- Mediation in relation to the division within the MDC party. In this regard did not stand for election at either Congress of the two MDC formations held in Zimbabwe in February and March 2006.
- Nominated and appointed on to the Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament Council at the PNND Annual Forum held at Vancouver, Canada, on 27th June.
- Presented a paper at 2006 Aspen Ideas Festival on “Southern African report Card 2006”
- Elected as Secretary for Legal Affairs and member of the Strategic Planning Committee of the MDC (Mutambara formation). Appointed Shadow Justice Minister.
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| 2005
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- Re-elected member of Parliament for Bulawayo South Constituency with a 76% majority, having stood against a ZANU PF woman Cabinet Minister.
- Met with Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, UN Special Envoy, in Bulawayo to make representations regarding Operation Murambatsvina, pointing out that it amounted to a crime against humanity.
- Delivered the 2005 Brennan Lecture (in honour of former Australian Chief Justice Sir Gerard Brannan) at Bond University, Queensland, Australia on the topic “The erosion of the Rule of Law in Zimbabwe 2000 - 2005, its consequences and the application of the International Responsibility to Protect doctrine”. (Watch the lecture here; link to images)
- Spoke at numerous meetings, (including Universities and the media) regarding the ZANU PF’s regime’s “Operation Murambatsvina” (operation clean up) exposing the same.
- Introduced into Parliament a comprehensive amendment to Zimbabwe’s Constitution to reform and democratize it, rejected by ZANU PF.
- Attended the 25th anniversary celebration of Solidarity in Gdansk, Poland and met former Polish President and leader of Solidarity Lech Walesa.
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| 2004
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- Travelled to Britain, Denmark and Germany in my capacity as Secretary for Legal Affairs to speak to a new report compiled by the Zimbabwe Institute called “Playing with Fire” which documents the arrest, detention, torture and general harassment of MDC MPs during the period 2000 to 2004.
- Unanimously elected by MDC Bulawayo South District to stand again as MDC candidate for the scheduled 2005 Parliamentary elections.
- Attended the Democratic Party National Convention in Boston USA at the invitation of the National Democratic Institute.
- In capacity as MDC Secretary for Legal Affairs and Shadow Justice Minister introduced and led argument on in Parliament the MDC’s extensive proposed amendments to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Bill and the Electoral Bill.
- Attended a Parliamentarian for Global Action meeting in Wellington, New Zealand to deliver a speech on the International Criminal Court.
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| 2003
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- Traveled to Canada and the USA in capacity as Secretary for Legal Affairs of the MDC to gather evidence in support of the defence of Morgan Tsvangirai and others facing treason charges.
- Member of a 3 person MDC delegation which met members of the Bush Administration in Pretoria during President Bush’s trip to South Africa.
- Member of an MDC delegation to Kenya to study the Kenyan electoral system.
- Member of an MDC delegation which attended the Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) Consultative forum on the International Criminal Court in the UN, New York and in Washington. Spoke on behalf of the MDC delegation at a PGA organized meeting in Congress regarding the situation in Zimbabwe.
- Member of a 2 person MDC delegation to the Liberal International Conference held in Dakar, Senegal. Held a private meeting with President Wade to discuss the Zimbabwean crisis.
- Attended a private meeting with President Nelson Mandela and Advocate George Bizos to brief President Mandela on the Zimbabwe Presidential Election court challenge.
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| 2002
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- Election agent for Morgan Tsvangirai, Presidential candidate, in the Bulawayo South constituency.
- Traveled to the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and the United States of America on behalf of the MDC to explain the MDC’s position regarding the March Presidential elections and the reasons for Electoral court challenge brought by the MDC’s Legal Affairs Committee on behalf of Mr. Tsvangirai and the MDC.
- Attended the Parliamentarians for Global Action Consultative meeting on the International Criminal Court in Ottawa, Canada, on behalf of the MDC.
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| 2001
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- Delivered paper regarding the current situation in Zimbabwe to International Union of Democrats in Singapore.
- Member of an MDC delegation to the United Kingdom and the United States.
- Traveled to Geneva as a Director of Safdem to lobby for support of the organisation at the UN.Traveled on to New York and Washington as part of a two person MDC lobby team.
- Led a bi-partisan group of the Parliamentary Justice Committee (in capacity as Chairperson) to Germany on a Konrad Adenhauer Foundation sponsored study tour of Germany’s justice system.
- Traveled to New York as a Director of Safdem to lobby for support for the organization at the UN.
- Traveled to London and New York to lobby on behalf of the MDC and to work on the finalization of the MDC justice policy (as Secretary for Legal Affairs).
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| 2000 |
- Elected Secretary of Legal Affairs of the Movement for Democratic Change at its Inaugural Congress.
- Elected Member of Parliament for Bulawayo South Constituency - a predominately black working class constituency - 20782 votes for against 3150 votes for the ZANU (PF) candidate - an 84% majority.
- Appointed Shadow Justice Minister by the President of the MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai.
- Appointed Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary affairs.
- Member of an MDC delegation to Washington to lobby the US Government regarding its policy towards Zimbabwe.
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| 1999 |
- Appointed to sit on the Legal Committee of the National Constitutional Assembly of Zimbabwe.
- Appointed as Chairperson of the Legal Committee of the Movement for Democratic Change.
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| 1998 |
- Traveled to Namibia as part of a 2 person Amnesty International investigation team to assist human rights organisations there.
- Appointed Senior (Managing) Partner of Webb, Low and Barry, Legal Practitioners, Bulawayo.
- Delivered numerous papers and speeches throughout Zimbabwe regarding the Constitutional debate and other human rights issues.
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| 1997
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- Presented a paper on a proposed constitution for the African Dialogue Group at Stellenbosch University, South Africa and met F W de Klerk.
- Report “Breaking the Silence: Building True Peace” published by the Legal Resources Foundation and Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace and presented to President Robert Mugabe in culmination of the work first stated in 1993.
- Retired as Director of the Bulawayo Legal Projects Centre and appointed Chairman of its Board.
- Appointed Chairman of an informal group called the “Umthwakazi Reconciliation Group” set up to promote the recommendations contained in the “Breaking the Silence” report.
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| 1996
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- Invited by the Westminster Foundation (London) to the inaugural meeting of the African Dialogue Group in Cape Town. Mandated to draft, a Constitution for a new African Dialogue Group.
- Heavily involved in final research, drafting and editing of the “Breaking the Silence” report.
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| 1995 |
- Attended a conference held in Mombasa, Kenya, organised by the International Republican Institute as a member of the African Democracy Network. The conference was a follow-up to the February 1995 Gaborone conference which considered ways of strengthening the African Democracy Network.
- Delivered a paper on “Ethnic Conflict in Zimbabwe” to the Summer Institute on Self Determination and Ethnic Conflict Resolution organised by the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts.
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| 1994 |
- Attended a conference held in Gaborone, Botswana organised by the International Republican Institute. The conference considered ways of making the electoral process in Africa more democratic.
- Attended a conference at the University of Kent organised by the Law Centres Federation which led to the establishment of an interim International body to represent the interests of legal advice centres globally.
- Visited the Federal Republic of Germany as a guest of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation; involved in discussions regarding the human rights situation in Zimbabwe and the promotion of democracy in Zimbabwe.
- Responsible for convening, in the capacity as Director of the Bulawayo Legal Projects Centre a conference at Victoria Falls on a new Constitution and Declaration of Rights.
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| 1993 |
- Drafted the Constitution and the Manifesto of the Forum Party of Zimbabwe which was launched on the 29th March 1993.
- Responsible for convening, in the capacity as Director of the Bulawayo Legal Projects Centre, an International Conference at Victoria Falls on Alternative Sentencing which looked at the introduction of community service in Zimbabwe, sentencing of juveniles and the death penalty.
- Put forward proposals for researching and preparing a report on human rights violations which occurred in Zimbabwe between 1982 and 1988.
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| 1992 |
- Founder and Trustee member of the Forum Democratic Reform Trust set up in Harare, a body designed to promote debate regarding constitutional reform and political change in Zimbabwe. [Link: A Blueprint for Zimbabwe]
- Delivered a paper to an Amnesty International conference on political killings and disappearances in the Netherlands. The paper was entitled “Zimbabwe: The establishment of independent and public enquiries”. Attended a Commonwealth conference in Ottawa, Canada regarding the establishment and empowerment of Ombudsman throughout Commonwealth countries.
- Visited the United States of America as a guest of the United States Government; involved in discussions in the State Department regarding the human rights situation in Zimbabwe. Visited the United Kingdom as guest of the British Government to discuss human rights issues in Zimbabwe.
- Member of an Electoral observer team to the Kenyan elections organised by the International Republican Institute, Washington, United States of America.
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| 1991 |
- Delivered a paper in Arusha, Tanzania regarding the setting up of Human Rights Organisations in Africa at a conference entitled “Empowering Civil Society”.
- Attended the Business Section of the International Bar Association’s Conference in Hong Kong after being awarded a further scholarship.
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| 1990
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- Established and appointed board member of CASALAF (Central and Southern African Legal Assistance Foundation - a section 501 (c) (3) non profit corporation registered in the United States of America to support Human Rights work in Southern Africa).
- Awarded a scholarship to attend the International Bar Association, biennial conference in New York.
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| 1989
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- Appointed Legal Policy Consultant to the Legal Resources Foundation
- Represented the then Governor of Matabeleland North before the Sandura Commission of Enquiry into Government corruption.
- Opened the first Human Rights Workshop conducted by the Bulawayo Legal Projects Centre regarding Human Rights Training for members of the Police Force and the Central Intelligence Organisation (in fulfillment of a project proposal first proposed in 1986).
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| 1988 |
- Appointed National Director (Legal Policy) Legal Resources Foundation.
- Member of a three person visitor tour to the United States of America as a guest of the United States Government.
- Represented the then Governor of Matabeleland North before the Sandura Commission of Enquiry into Government corruption.
- Opened the first Human Rights Workshop conducted by the Bulawayo Legal Projects Centre regarding Human Rights Training for members of the Police Force and the Central Intelligence Organisation (in fulfillment of a project
proposal first proposed in 1986).
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| 1987
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- Founded and appointed Director of the Bulawayo Legal Projects Centre, the second operational arm of the Legal Resources Foundation.
- Attended, and spoke at Human Rights Summer School at the University of Ottawa, Canada.
- Defence Counsel in several High Court criminal actions brought against political dissidents arising out of the conflict in Matabeleland.
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| 1986 |
- Author of a detailed Human Rights report concerning human rights abuses in Matabeleland during 1985, submitted to the Governor of Matabeleland North and the Minister of Justice at that time. (In the capacity as a partner in Webb, Low and Barry handled hundreds of human rights cases between 1983 and 1986 and indeed until the present time).
- Defended Sidney Malunga MP in his political trial; ultimately leading to his acquittal of charges that he was assisting political dissidents.
- Put forward proposals for the establishment of the Bulawayo Legal Projects Centre.
- Appointed a Trustee of the Legal Resources Foundation. Founder Trustee of Petra School (an inter-denominational Christian school in Bulawayo)
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| 1985 |
- Campaign Manager for all the independent candidates in Matabeleland contesting the 1985 elections.
- A member of a Rotary Group Study Exchange Tour to Pennsylvania in the United States of America.
- Instructed to represent Sidney Malunga, Edward Ndlovu, Stephen Nkomo and other PF Zapu Central Committee members detained by the Zanu PF government.
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| 1984 |
- Appointed a partner in Webb, Low and Barry.
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| 1983 |
- January 1983: Employed by Messrs Webb, Low and Barry Legal Practitioners, Bulawayo.
- Admitted as a Legal Practitioner of the High Court of Zimbabwe.
- Campaign Manager for Bob Nixon MP (he was the first independent candidate to beat the Rhodesia Front party of Mr. Ian Smith in 17 years).
- Appointed Secretary of the Bulawayo Legal Practitioners Association; in this capacity started the first legal aid clinic in Bulawayo.
- Instructed by Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace to record affidavits from people who had suffered at the hands of the Fifth Brigade. Affidavits subsequently submitted to the Chihambakwe Commission of Enquiry.
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| 1978-1982
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- Studied at the University of Cape Town. Chairman of the Zimbabwe Students Society at University of Cape Town. (This society represented the interests of the thousands Zimbabwean students then studying at the University of Cape Town. This was an elected post.) Link to “Telegram from Robert Mugabe to David Coltart - 19 August 1981 (PDF file)
- Director, Legal Aid Clinic, Crossroads Squatter Camp, Cape Town.
- Member of the Law Students Council (also an elected post).
- BA (Law) University of Cape Town.
- LLB (Post graduate law degree) University of Cape Town.
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| 1975-1978 |
- Conscripted into the British South African Police Force stationed in Mashonaland, Matabeleland South and Masvingo Provinces. Best Recruit: Squad 7/75.
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