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icon who contributed immensely to the development of law in Zimbabwe.
He was 56. Mr Chikumbirike, who died at St Annes Hospital after a short illness, was arguably one of the best legal brains in the country.
Mr Chikumbirike was a senior partner at Chikumbirike and Associates.
Harare lawyer Mr Jonathan Samkange, who had known Mr Chikumbirike for 37 years described him as a good lawyer and friend.
“I have known Chikumbirike for the past 37 years and he had been a good friend. He was my personal friend and I was actually his best man.
“He was a very good lawyer who quickly rose to become one of the best lawyers.
“His death is unbelievable and a blow to the whole legal fraternity,” said Mr Samkange.
Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Advocate Eric Matinenga said Mr Chikumbirike was a great lawyer who gave the best for his clients.
“Some may have disagreed with him, but at the end of the day, he gave the best for his clients.
“It is a very sad loss to the profession and for some of us who associated with him at personal and professional levels,” said Adv Matinenga.
Another lawyer Mr Selby Hwacha of Dube Manikai and Hwacha law firm described Chikumbirike as a “huge legal brain” and a source of inspiration for many lawyers.
“George was a very good legal mind and he inspired most of us who were many years behind to practice law.
“If you look at most criminal cases in this country, George produced the most dramatic and creative results,” said Mr Hwacha.
In a condolence, secretary general of the Magistrates Association of Zimbabwe Mr Munamato Mutevedzi said Mr Chikumbirike’s death was a big loss to the fraternity.
“The legal fraternity will be poorer without the legal icon Chikumbirike. He was a quick-witted lawyer who would never make a tired argument in court.
“He always had new ideas and was so persuasive and so eloquent in his arguments that he could easily convince the court that he had re-invented the wheel.
“His contribution to the development of the law in Zimbabwe remains indelible and because of this, we should not despair.
“Instead, we should celebrate the life of a legal icon,” said Mr Mutevedzi.
Mr Chikumbirike was born on October 27, 1956 in Murewa and went to Murewa Mission for his primary and secondary education.
He enrolled at the then University of Rhodesia in 1976 to study law, obtaining his Bachelor of Law degree in 1978 and LLB the following year.
He then joined the Justice ministry as a magisterial assistant. Mr Chikumbirike quit the bench and had a brief stint at Coghlan, Welsh and Guest.
He left to join Chirunda and Chihambakwe law firm, where he became a partner and the firm was to be called Chirunda, Chihambakwe and Chikumbirike. He left to form his own law firm Chikumbirike and
Associates in 1994.
Mr Chikumbirike left behind a wife and several children. He will be buried at his rural home in Murewa tomorrow.
Mourners are gathered at Number 11 Wood Lane, Borrowdale, Harare.
Online Reporter