CALS mourns the loss of Prof Shadrack Gutto
- Lee-Anne Bruce
CALS remembers our friend and colleague, Prof Shadrack Gutto, and the role he played at our organisation and in the formation of our constitutional democracy
The Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS), University of the Witwatersrand, mourns the recent passing of Prof Shadrack Gutto. Prof Gutto played a key role at CALS during the 1990s at a crucial time for both our institution and our constitutional democracy. Prof Gutto represented CALS at a number of important fora, including the Constitutional Assembly and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
During his time at CALS, Prof Gutto led the Land Rights Project and oversaw the drafting of new legislation on tenants’ rights and land reform, as well as successfully lobbying the Constitutional Assembly on land restitution, property rights and socio-economic rights. Prof Gutto was also appointed Deputy Director for External Affairs and frequently appeared in the media providing comment on many aspects of the law, from the need to simplify legal language to the role of different government departments in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Prof Gutto represented many values we still hold dear. We are proud to continue on the path he set for us when he began working at CALS. We send our deepest condolences to his loved ones and hope to keep his memory alive in all we do to challenge injustice.