The following are excerpts from and links to two articles by the chairman of the Zimbabwean Media and Information Commission.  They are followed by an excerpt from and the link to a commentary by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, as well as a press release by the International Bar Association:

Tafataona P. Mahoso, "Lawyers' Body Fights for Return of Rhodesia," The Sunday Mail, August 6, 2006.
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"It is in this context that Zimbabweans who accept the call to reclaim and revalue African society and its assets must also face the fact that the leadership of the LSZ is still fighting either for the restoration of the Rhodesian past or at least for the foreign-sponsored regime change project to reverse the African revolution."

Tafataona P. Mahoso, "LSZ Leadership Supports, Mimics Western Sponsors," The Sunday Mail, August 20, 2006.
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"In the last two instalments we implied a number of allegations which still require elaboration and proof: That leaders of the LSZ misrepresent their own views and wishes as those of the majority of practising lawyers in Zimbabwe; that leaders of the LSZ are heavily dominated by white colonial law firms linked to Rhodesian and foreign capital; that the activities of the leaders of the LSZ have tended to support, resemble or mimic those of the Western white sponsors of the regime change politics of the opposition in Zimbabwe; and that because of the link between LSZ leaders and elements of Rhodesian and foreign capital, the LSZ was used as much to oppose the indigenisation of land ownership as it was used to oppose the indigenisation of the judiciary.

In making these observations, it should be born in mind that the question of legality or illegality of the activities of the leaders of the LSZ is not really the issue here since that depends on the nature of the laws Zimbabwe has to govern such activities. The real issue is whether the majority of members of the LSZ really know the full meaning of the activities carried out on their behalf by leaders of the society. The issue is whether the people of Zimbabwe in general know and understand what leaders of the LSZ have been doing in the name of human rights and democracy."

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, "Tafataona Mahoso's Attack on the Law Society of Zimbabwe," August 12, 2006.
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"Dr. Mahoso, in regrettably inciting language but a tired argument, accuses the LSZ of harbouring intentions to bring back Rhodesia or a Western-controlled regime to this country. Many committed lawyers have fought courageous battles against the implementation by this very government of colonial legislation in policies that are dangerous to humanity and negatively affect people's fundamental rights and freedoms. It is a matter of public record that a glut of colonial statutes were used as a "legal basis" for the implementation of Operation Murambatsvina and resulted in displacements, homelessness and loss of life and livelihoods for millions of innocent people who ordinarily look to the state for protection. Victims of Operation Murambatsvina are still homeless over a year after they were dumped. Dr. Mahoso needs to visit Hopley Farm to see for himself how the implementation of such colonial laws by the state has dehumanised Zimbabweans.

The legal profession is acutely aware of, and not happy with, the drastic deterioration of national well-being and the erosion of fundamental rights and freedoms in Zimbabwe since approximately 1999. The country is in the midst of crisis on almost all fronts, resulting from the collapse of good governance, economic mismanagement and the dramatic deterioration in human rights and the rule of law. ZLHR supports and stands together with the LSZ and the majority of its members in the legal profession in Zimbabwe in continuing to provide an important voice and conscience in the defence of the rule of law, constitutionalism, the independence of the judiciary and the promotion and protection of human rights. ZLHR further remains confident that Dr. Mahoso's strategy to stir disharmony and disaffection in, and hatred for, the independent legal profession to achieve the chaos he has unleashed and achieved on the media profession will not work."


International Bar Association, "IBA Voices Concern at Attack on the Law Society of Zimbabwe," August 23, 2006.
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"Justice Richard Goldstone, Co-Chair IBA Human Rights Institute, and retired South African Constitutional Court Judge said today that, 'The Law Society of Zimbabwe is a democratic and independent institution performing a very necessary role in a particularly difficult period in Zimbabwe's history. He added, 'The LSZ should be completely separate from the Executive, accountable to the law, and above all else to the nation's Constitution. For a law society to face criticism from a government-appointed official for carrying out this essential role in this environment carries all the outcomes of a threat.'"