Doug Coltart Assaulted, Phone And Glasses Stolen At Constitutional Amendment Bill Hearing

Human rights lawyer Doug Coltart was attacked by suspected ZANU-PF supporters while leaving a public hearing on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 at the City Sports Centre in Harare on Tuesday, 31 March. During the incident, Coltart’s phone and eyeglasses were stolen.

Chaos erupted at the hearing, which was meant to gather public input on the controversial constitutional amendments, with those believed to be against the Bill blocked from making their contributions.

As Coltart tried to leave the venue, he was confronted by a group of thugs who snatched his phone. When he attempted to retrieve it, he was physically assaulted.

The group also questioned Coltart’s nationality during the attack, despite him being born in Zimbabwe to Zimbabwean parents.

Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono condemned the physical attack and racist abuse directed at Coltart, saying it shows a troubling decline in tolerance and respect for the rule of law in Zimbabwe. He wrote on Facebook:

“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.

“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.”

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