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Fidelis Munyoro Harare Bureau
MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora and two other lawyers face deregistration by the Law Society of Zimbabwe for various acts of misconduct. Mwonzora is a senior partner at Mwonzora and Associates law firm. The firm has been mired in a fraud case that resulted in Mwonzora being hauled to court facing criminal charges.
The cases are still pending.
On Friday, Mwonzora and two other lawyers — Ollyn Kanyenze and Tererai Gunje had their cases in which the Law Society of Zimbabwe is seeking to deregister them deferred to September this year.
Mwonzora’s case was not on the roll although he had been notified of the hearing.
Justice Chinembiri Bhunu chairs the Disciplinary Tribunal which hears such cases at the High Court.
Other members of the tribunal are Justice Felistas Chatukuta and lawyers Sarah Moyo and Davison Kanokanga.
The LSZ applied to deregister Mwonzora after it convicted him on charges of misconduct.
Mwonzora has approached the High Court to quash the LSZ decision citing procedural flaws.
In his review application, Mwonzora argued the LSZ showed bias against him when it applied to deregister him as a lawyer, notary public and conveyancer on a matter pending before the Supreme Court.
“It obviously anticipated my acquittal on the criminal charges and wants to prejudice me,” stated Mwonzora in his papers.
“The disciplinary proceedings against me are tainted by gross administrative irregularities, which include, among others, bias, gross unreasonableness, lack of respect and observance of principles and rules of natural justice.”
Mwonzora was convicted by the LSZ of professional misconduct after he allegedly used a forged or irregular notice of appeal in a bid to stop eviction of a client from a disputed property.
The LSZ is now seeking to have his name struck off the register of practising lawyers.
Advocate Lewis Uriri is acting for the LSZ in the matter.
Online Reporter