Botswana Lawyer Leads Zim Probe

Speaking from Harare, Boko told Monitor that the delegation had interviewed a number of high-ranking government officials. So far, the delegation has grilled the Commissioner of Police, Judge President, Chief Justice and the Minister of the Justice.

"We are told that court orders are not being respected and lawyers are being denied the right to see their clients," said Boko. He pointed out that the delegation's major   concern is respect for the rule of law. "There is a serious concern about the police's high handedness," he said. He added that there are allegations that the police have targeted lawyers and their families. Boko revealed that from what they have gathered so far, police brutality against lawyers in Zimbabwe is a serious problem. The delegation he leads is composed of representatives from law societies from Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Malawi. It is expected to present a report to the SADC secretariat.