admin
The Herald, June 22, 1985
A HARARE lawyer who stole $16 902 from his firm’s trust in March this year disgraced the legal profession Mr Justice Samatta, said in the High Court, Harare, yesterday.
He sentenced Ezekiel Tlou to six years in jail, of which two years were conditionally suspended for five years.
In mitigation Tlou told the court that he was in financial difficulties because he had his mother, three sisters and a child of his own to take care of.
He had borrowed money from an Indian friend, which saw through his A levels and had been awarded a scholarship and a grant to study at university.
When he was admitted as lawyer in 1981, he had to repay his Indian friend as well as taking care of his large family.
His motive was not to prejudice his firm or the clients. He had arranged with a bank in Kadoma for a $3 000 loan, which had been concluded and he had made further arrangements with two friends to lend him $2 000, said Tlou.
He told the court that the loans were frozen after the bank had heard of his arrest. He asked the court for a lenient sentence that would allow him to repay the money.
Sentencing Tlou, the judge took into account the fact that he pleaded guilty and was a first offender.
Mr Justice Samatta said he would also bear in mind that as a result of Tlou’s conduct, his legal career was bound to come to a disgraceful end.
Mr Knox Munjoma appeared for the State. – Ziana.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Lawyers, just like doctors are supposed to be trustworthy individuals because they are entrusted with their clients’ secrets and in some cases, valuables such as money and property and when they steal, they taint the reputation of their profession.
Stealing is a crime that normally attracts a custodial sentence and there is no reason that can justify one committing such a crime.
When facing difficulties, it is important to share and ask for help. The lawyer in the story might have received assistance from his employers had he reached out to his employers instead of stealing from them.
Online Reporter