Beatrice Mtetwa Biography

Early Life and Education

Beatrice Mtetwa was born in 1957 in Swaziland (now Eswatini). She studied law at the University of Botswana and Swaziland, where she earned her LLB in 1981. After graduating, she worked as a prosecuting attorney in Swaziland before moving to Zimbabwe in 1983. There, she continued her legal work in the public sector.

Legal Career and Human Rights Work

In 1989, Mtetwa left government work to start private legal practice in Zimbabwe. Over time, she became known for focusing on human rights and constitutional law. One of her early major cases involved challenging a law that gave government power over non-governmental organizations. She also questioned the outcomes of parliamentary elections in 2000 across multiple districts.

Her work is especially recognized for defending journalists—both local and international. In one well-known case, she stopped the deportation of The Guardian journalist Andrew Meldrum by presenting a court order at the airport just in time. She has also defended journalists from The New York Times, The Sunday Telegraph, and others who were arrested while reporting in Zimbabwe.

Law Firm and Landmark Cases

In 2006, Mtetwa co-founded Mtetwa & Nyambirai Legal Practitioners with lawyer Tawanda Nyambirai. The firm has handled a range of high-profile and constitutional cases. One of their major clients is Econet Wireless, Zimbabwe’s largest telecom company, and their court cases have influenced major legal interpretations in the country.

The firm was also involved in the case of Jestina Mukoko, a human rights activist who was abducted and tortured in 2008. Mtetwa helped secure Mukoko’s release, protected her from further prosecution, and helped sue her abductors.

Harassment and Arrests

Mtetwa has faced police violence and arrests due to her legal activism. In 2003, she was beaten by police after being accused of drunk driving. She later returned with medical documents to report the assault. In 2007, she and other lawyers were beaten by police during a peaceful protest.

In 2013, Mtetwa was arrested while trying to assist a client whose home was being searched by police. She was charged with obstructing justice for asking to see a search warrant. Despite a high court order demanding her release, she was detained for several days. Eventually, the court ruled that she had no case to answer.

International Recognition

Mtetwa has received multiple international awards for her courage and commitment to human rights and press freedom. These include:

• International Press Freedom Award (2005) by the Committee to Protect Journalists
• Ludovic-Trarieux International Human Rights Prize (2009)
• American Bar Association International Human Rights Award (2010)
• Inamori Ethics Prize (2011)
• International Women of Courage Award (2014)

She has also been awarded honorary law degrees from universities including St. Francis Xavier University (Canada), the University of Bath (UK), and Rhodes University (South Africa).

Legacy

Beatrice Mtetwa is widely seen as one of Zimbabwe’s most important human rights lawyers. Her work has impacted the legal profession, media freedom, and civic space in Zimbabwe. While she has faced arrests, threats, and violence, Mtetwa has remained committed to defending the rule of law and the rights of others.