Chamisa Condemns The Violence At The CAB3 Public Hearings In Harare
Advocate Nelson Chamisa has condemnedtge violence at the CAB3 Public Hearings In Harare.
Human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart was attacked by suspected ZANU-PF supporters while attempting to leave the Constitution Amendment Bill public hearing at City Sports Centre. His phone and eyeglasses were stolen.
Chamisa said: “This is unacceptable! Zimbabwe has a bigger and deeper problem. Violence is an abomination. Why is this being allowed? Fellow Citizens, this marks the beginning of a new struggle! Enough is enough! This must bring all of us who believe in a free, open and peaceful Zimbabwe together!
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.”
Prominent lawyer Advocate Fadzayi Mahere has also condemned an alleged act of theft at the Constitution Amendment Bill public hearing on Tuesday, after a man (pictured) was captured on camera apparently snatching the phone of human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart at the City Sports Centre.
“Uyu anonzi ani? How can you steal someone’s phone in broad daylight and call that a public hearing?” Mahere said in a statement on social media, sharing images of the incident. “We need new leaders.”
The public consultations on the proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 3 (CAB3) Bill have been overshadowed by reports of violence, intimidation, and alleged abductions, raising concerns about the integrity of the outreach process.
The first day of hearings was disrupted at multiple venues. In Bulawayo, proceedings at Nketa Hall broke down after a woman opposing the bill was chased from the venue and reportedly attacked outside, prompting organisers to cut the meeting short.
In Chitungwiza, three youths who had spoken to the media against the bill were reportedly abducted and later found injured, allegedly at the hands of state security agents.
Video link of the incident;
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18e7fgbFRi/
