NATIONAL Incomes and Pricing Commission (NIPC) chairperson Goodwills Masimirembwa is seeking re-registration as a legal practitioner with the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ), 12 years after he was blacklisted for abusing trust funds, among other misdemeanours.
In a letter written by the LSZ to its members dated January 14, lawyers have up to tomorrow to raise objections to Masimirembwa’s re-registration as a lawyer. Â
The letter reads: “Any member who has any objections, adverse information which we might not have or comments on the suitability or otherwise of Mr Goodwills Masimirembwa being re-admitted into the Register of Legal Practitioners must file such objections, adverse information or comments with the secretary within the next 15 days from the date of this notice, failing which the council may proceed to consider the application without further reference.”
Masimirembwa, who is eyeing the Zanu PF Harare province secretary for administration post, was struck off the register of legal practitioners on March 14 1997 for bringing the legal profession into disrepute by failing to pay counsel’s fees and Messengers of Court’s charges when due.
He was blacklisted for “failing to honour an undertaking to effect payment by a particular date and by effecting payment by means of a cheque” that was dishonoured.
According to the LSZ, Masimirembwa failed to act in his clients’ best interests by failing to account adequately for clients’ fees he charged and trust monies he held, and raising fees for work not done or work done contrary to clients’ instructions.
The NIPC boss was also found to have practised as a legal practitioner without holding a current certificate.
He was accused of abusing the court process by improperly obtaining default judgment in court proceedings, engaging in purposeless litigation which was unnecessarily oppressive and acting recklessly in instituting legal proceedings.
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Masimirembwa also failed to reply to correspondence from another legal practitioner and the LSZ requiring explanations for his conduct, as well as failing to keep proper books of accounts.
As part of his rehabilitation, Masimirebwa has compensated the LSZ all the money the association paid his creditors on his behalf at its present net value.
He has also worked as a legal clerk under the employ of Aston Musunga & Associates from 2004-2006.In 1994 to 1999 he was employed as legal and corporate director for Woolbrook Farming, Wedzera Investments, Royal Trucking, Gopa Investments, Gope Construction, Twigari Investments and Wedzera Petroleum where he is currently employed.
BY LUCIA MAKAMURE
