Three corrupt lawyers deregistered

THREE lawyers were deregistered by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal last Friday over reports of abusing trust funds and tarnishing the profession's image. 
The tribunal, chaired by Justice Chinembiri Bhunu, deleted the names of Edmond Chivhinge of Chivhinge and Associates, Pfungwa Warren Makunike of Makunike and Associates and Blessing Nhambure from the register of legal practitioners, notary publics and conveyancers in Zimbabwe.
The Law Society of Zimbabwe had recommended that they be struck off the register.
The trio's delisting brings to eight the number of lawyers struck off the register over the past year.
The cases of four other lawyers - Mr Walter Chikanda, Mr Cremmah Chipere, Mr Toindepi Mahaso and Mr Martin Chasakara were deferred.
The LSZ had received various complaints against the three, which convinced it that they did not deserve to continue in the practice.
Mr Chivhinge, who was registered as a lawyer in September 1992 after completing a Bachelor of Laws (Hon) degree, was taken to the LPDT over allegations of funds embezzlement, failing to pay Zimra dues on behalf of the clients and failure to pay commission to an estate agent after a transaction.
In July 2010, LSZ received a complaint from Mr and Mrs Tsikayi and Mrs Tinarwo who had his services in the sale of their property.
They alleged that the property was sold, but they did not receive their share as agreed and that even Bridges Real Estate that facilitated the sale did not receive the agreed commission.
Mr Charles Mare also complained to the LSZ that Mr Chivhinge had not paid on his behalf US$750 capital gains tax to Zimra after selling his Avondale property.The LPDT granted a default order against Mr Chivhinge after he failed to either oppose or attend the hearing on two occasions.
Mr Makunike and Ms Nhambure consented to the orders for deletion and Justice Bhunu rubberstamped it.
Mr Makunike made headlines in the Press after he allegedly publicly wrestled with his clients outside a city bank over a trust funds dispute.
He was also accused of refusing to forward to the same client trust money amounting to US$6 000.
LSZ argued that Mr Makunike had brought the name of the profession into disrepute after the scuffle was published in the media.
In 2001 he was suspended over complaints that he had abused his client's trust funds and withholding payment of trust money without lawful cause.
Ms Nhambure was de-listed following her conviction in a corruption case in which she was jointly charged with a Chegutu magistrate.
They allegedly corruptly facilitated a marriage at the courts. She was convicted of soliciting or accepting a bribe. The LSZ is seeking an order for deletion of Mr Chasakara from the register of legal practitioners on allegations that he used a fake High Court date stamp on a notice of opposition prepared on behalf of a client. Mr Chipere is facing allegations of abusing trust funds.Mr Chikanda faces two counts of abusing trust funds.