By Zivanai Dhewa
Lawyer, politician and founding member of the MDC, Mr David Coltart has joined many other voices in calling for the unconditional removal of the catastrophic and illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
Speaking during an interview with CNBC, Coltart argued that sanctions have not achieved anything meaningful except to harm the ordinary Zimbabweans.
“When sanctions were imposed in the early 2000, they served a purpose because they identified perpetrators of Human Rights abuses.
“However, they have long since got beyond their sale by date, as far back as December 2010, I was on BBC- Hard Talk and I spoke against sanctions and my view then and now I still express the same view,” said Coltart.
Coltart further added that, “In my opinion, the west should judge the Zimbabwe government and cooperate with the Zimbabwe government on the basis of its respect for the Zimbabwe Constitution.
“If Zimbabwe demonstrates that it’s in compliance with the constitution, then I think that it should be rewarded and they should be developing assistance relationship between ZANU PF and western countries,” the former Minister of Primary and Secondary Education said.
Former Deputy Prime Minister in the Government of National Unity, Professor Arthur Mutambara is one of the high profile opposition leader to blast the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe by the west.
“I have never defended the imposition of sanctions on my country, when I was a political leader in Zimbabwe, I was very clear that sanctions by external players undermine the prosperity and progress of the country,” Mutambara said.
The New Dispensation is on record addressing reforms in line with the country’s Constitution, as it works on expediting the country’s laws to the Constitution which is one of the key reforms. The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission was also set up and is at work creating platform for national dialogue that will address the situation in the country and foster sustainable peace and development.
Recently, President Emmerson Mnangagwa swore in an Inter-Ministerial Political Reform Taskforce to carry out reforms that would provide legal backing to the country’s economic and social opening. Amongst the issues to be addressed is the compensation of all victims of violence and dependence of the deceased following the August 1 Motlante Commission recommendations.
