Government accused of confusing voters
Zimbabwe Standard ZIMBABWE has several bodies dealing with elections and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) believes this is a ploy to confuse voters. David Coltart, the MDC secretary for legal affairs, says the government has successfully hoodwinked the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) into thinking the recently enacted Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Act had
Mugabe turns to military to ensure victory
Seattle Post JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has increasingly turned to hard-line military commanders to cow his factious country and now is relying on them to ensure a ruling party triumph in March 31 parliamentary elections. He appointed a former colonel to run the new Election Commission last month and passed laws
Mugabe puts military at the centre of Zimbabwe’s election
The Daily Telegraph 24th January 2005 By Peta Thornycroft in Harare Mr Mugabe has given the security forces a legal role in elections President Robert Mugabe was accused yesterday of “militarising” Zimbabwe’s forthcoming election after a new law placed the army in charge of polling stations and installed the regime’s allies in every key position.
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