News / National
'Chamisa's lawyer' cleared of receiving a bribe allegations
30 May 2025 at 12:05hrs | Views
The Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has exonerated prominent Harare lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu of serious allegations of unprofessional misconduct, corruption, and conflict of interest brought forward by Croatian national Joseph Crnkovic.
Crnkovic, a former finance officer at Chegutu-based mining company Dallaglio Investments, had accused Mpofu of accepting a bribe to allegedly cover up racism allegations involving the company and its chief executive, Michael Fowler. However, after a thorough review, the LSZ dismissed the complaint as unfounded and unsupported by evidence.
In a formal communication dated April 28, 2025, the LSZ stated:
"Council noted that the conduct of the Respondent was above board. The Respondent was appointed to conduct an inquiry and was paid his fees for executing the mandate. There was no proof of the alleged bribe or any conflict of interest."
The Law Society also pointed out that Dallaglio Investments confirmed Advocate Mpofu's appointment was sanctioned through a board resolution and that the lawyer's work was conducted transparently. This contradicted Crnkovic's claim that the appointment was made without the board's knowledge.
Furthermore, the LSZ noted that Crnkovic's resignation from Dallaglio Investments occurred months after the completion of the inquiry and was unrelated to Mpofu's involvement.
The ruling continued:
"Council did not find any acts of unprofessional conduct in the Respondent's conduct. Council resolved that the Respondent be found not guilty of any unprofessional conduct and that the complaint be dismissed. We will therefore proceed to close the file and will not take any further action."
This development marks another legal defeat for Crnkovic, who had earlier filed a case with the Constitutional Court seeking direct access. That application was summarily dismissed by Justice Rita Makarau, who ruled that it was "unsustainable at law… and ought not to have been filed."
Crnkovic, a dual citizen of Croatia and Zimbabwe, had repeatedly claimed his human rights were violated by the company and used these claims as a basis for his allegations against Mpofu. The LSZ advised him that such matters should have been pursued through formal court proceedings rather than through a professional misconduct complaint.
Advocate Mpofu, known for his constitutional law expertise and high-profile legal work, declined to comment on the decision, but sources close to him said he welcomed the outcome as a vindication of his professional integrity.
Crnkovic, a former finance officer at Chegutu-based mining company Dallaglio Investments, had accused Mpofu of accepting a bribe to allegedly cover up racism allegations involving the company and its chief executive, Michael Fowler. However, after a thorough review, the LSZ dismissed the complaint as unfounded and unsupported by evidence.
In a formal communication dated April 28, 2025, the LSZ stated:
"Council noted that the conduct of the Respondent was above board. The Respondent was appointed to conduct an inquiry and was paid his fees for executing the mandate. There was no proof of the alleged bribe or any conflict of interest."
The Law Society also pointed out that Dallaglio Investments confirmed Advocate Mpofu's appointment was sanctioned through a board resolution and that the lawyer's work was conducted transparently. This contradicted Crnkovic's claim that the appointment was made without the board's knowledge.
Furthermore, the LSZ noted that Crnkovic's resignation from Dallaglio Investments occurred months after the completion of the inquiry and was unrelated to Mpofu's involvement.
The ruling continued:
"Council did not find any acts of unprofessional conduct in the Respondent's conduct. Council resolved that the Respondent be found not guilty of any unprofessional conduct and that the complaint be dismissed. We will therefore proceed to close the file and will not take any further action."
This development marks another legal defeat for Crnkovic, who had earlier filed a case with the Constitutional Court seeking direct access. That application was summarily dismissed by Justice Rita Makarau, who ruled that it was "unsustainable at law… and ought not to have been filed."
Crnkovic, a dual citizen of Croatia and Zimbabwe, had repeatedly claimed his human rights were violated by the company and used these claims as a basis for his allegations against Mpofu. The LSZ advised him that such matters should have been pursued through formal court proceedings rather than through a professional misconduct complaint.
Advocate Mpofu, known for his constitutional law expertise and high-profile legal work, declined to comment on the decision, but sources close to him said he welcomed the outcome as a vindication of his professional integrity.
Source - online
