adminThubelihle Mabhena Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO residents have lost confidence in lawyers after three senior partners from Cheda and Partners were suspended by the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) pending fraud investigations including a $350,000 scam, a senior official has said. Speaking at an event organised by Bulawayo Legal Practitioners to give residents free legal advice on Saturday, the president of Bulawayo Legal Practitioners Association, Thandaza Masiye-Moyo said the profession had suffered irreparable damage due to the development.
He said people should realise that in every society there are some people who do not toe the ethics line and a small minority may blemish the name of an institution.
The law firm was in February put under curatorship after the Law Society of Zimbabwe discovered that there were anomalies with the firm’s trust account.
Senior partners Sindiso Mazibisa and Mlamuli Ncube voluntarily surrendered their practising certificates to pave way for investigations.
Masiye-Moyo, who is also chairman of the LSZ disciplinary committee, said lawyers were giving advice for free to show they are humane.
“The rule of the law is close to our hearts. We have heard of allegations of misconduct in the law society and we want the public to know that the association doesn’t associate itself with corruption,” said Masiye-Moyo.
“In this initiative where we came out to give free legal advice, we are trying to be visible so that people will know we are here to protect not to destroy. Members of the public should report any legal practitioner who has infringed on the rule of law.”
A total of 200 Bulawayo residents benefited from the event held at the City Hall car park.
Thirteen law firms including Majoko and Majoko law firm, Dube-Banda and Nzarayapenga Law Firm, S K M Sibanda Legal Practitioners, Moyo and Nyoni Legal Practitioners and Mcijo Dube and Partners law firm participated.
Bernard Sithole, 33, of Gwabalanda suburb said he was grateful the law firms took time to give back to the community.
“Legal advice at law firms is very expensive. A consultation session costs between $80 and $150 per hour, depending on the law firm. Most people cannot afford legal representation and I hope that there will be more events like these in the future,” said Sithole.
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