Harare – Prominent Zimbabwe lawyer Doug Coltart was assaulted and had his phone stolen by ZANU PF supporter Luckmore Gapa, an incident which was captured on camera at a constitutional amendment hearing at City Sports Centre in Harare rendering the exercise a ‘farce’.
Coltart is yet to recover his stolen mobile phone and his assault by ZANU PF thugs has been condemned in Zimbabwe and across the world.
Temba Mliswa said: “Reports that lawyer Doug Coltart was assaulted during the Harare edition of Public Hearings on #CAB3 are very disturbing and an affront to the open and democratic society that we aspire to be.
I urgent the relevant authorities to treat this case with the seriousness it deserves and bring the culprits to book. We can’t have such scenes soiling what has been a very peaceful process.
I would like to believe there are rogue elements within the system seeking either to tarnish the image of the country or commend themselves to their seniors through overzealous actions. Either way, we can’t accept such and they should be arrested.”
Hopewell Chin’ono, a journalist and activist said the attack on Coltart was disgraceful.
”The violence against Zimbabwean human rights lawyer Doug Coltart today at the parliamentary hearings for Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 at the Harare City Sports Centre is disgraceful.
The racist abuse directed at him by fellow Zimbabweans is equally shameful, exposing a dangerous erosion of tolerance, respect for the rule of law, and basic democratic values,” Chin’ono said.
”Whatever happens with Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, it is already tainted by these actions of ZANUPF hooligans, thugs, and despicable individuals.
You cannot take parliamentary hearings to the people and then assault them for airing their views, for opposing what you are saying, or for holding alternative opinions. That is not consultation, it is intimidation, and it completely undermines the legitimacy of the entire process.
Beating up a fellow Zimbabwean who is a lawyer, stealing his phone, and preventing him from speaking is the very worst conduct in any parliamentary hearing process, including this Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3. Those behind these actions should be deeply ashamed, because they are not only undermining the process, they are embarrassing the country and eroding respect for the rule of law,” Chin’ono said.
The constitutional amendment bill number three seeks to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa term of office from 2028 to 2030.
The public hearings of the bill have largely been chaotic with known opposition and activists that have criticized the bill being denied to speak at the meetings.
The majority of Zimbabweans have expressed their disapproval of the amendments saying they remind them of how Robert Mugabe overstayed in power.
However, the ruling ZANU PF is divided into two factions, one that supports Mnangagwa’s continued stay in office and the other that support Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to take over from Mnangagwa in 2028.