Doug Coltart Stands Tall Against 'Varakashi'

Human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart has remained indefatigable under constant vitriol directed towards him by government apologists and trolls on social media (varakashi).

In an interview with The Standard, Coltart vowed to remain steadfast in fighting for justice on behalf of the downtrodden. He said:

It is threatening, but for me, I am driven by a vision of a better Zimbabwe where human rights are respected.

That is what pushes me. The work I do is rooted in my faith and to that degree, I don’t fear those who kill the body. I fear God. It comes with the territory but it won’t stop the work from going on.

The young lawyer has not only been attacked by “ghost” trolls on social media but prominent government officials and opposition politicians have joined the bandwagon in maligning his person.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba, who uses the @jamwanda handle on Twitter has attacked Coltart, so has MDC-T vice president Obert Gutu who went as far as playing the race card.

Deputy Defence Minister Victor Matemadanda recently accused Coltart of influencing the country’s incapacitated doctors to stay away from work.

More than once, Coltart has been physically assaulted by police officers while doing his work.

More: The Standard