Recent reports in both the State-controlled print and electronic media have revealed the existence of an organisation that calls itself the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Justice.As a practising lawyer of more than twenty years experience,I have never been formally advised of the existence of this so-called Zimbabwe Lawyers for Justice.
Ordinarily,the Law Society of Zimbabwe,as the lawful professional body mandated to regulate the affairs of all lawyers in Zimbabwe,would have circulated a memorandum formally advising all interested parties of the formation of a body such as the so-called Zimbabwe Lawyers for Justice.I am not aware of any circular to that effect that was generated from the Law Society of Zimbabwe offices.If such a circular was indeed circulated,then it certainly didnot reach my chambers.
With due respect to whoever is the brainchild behind the so-called Zimbabwe Lawyers for Justice,I strongly suspect that the membership of this organisation is most probably composed of one person;someone who regularly appears on the ZANU(PF)-controlled ZTV,who calls himself Advocate Dinha although he has never practised at any of the Advocates' Chambers in Harare and Bulawayo.
Let me hasten to add that I have absolutely nothing personal against Mr.Dinha.I have never met him in my life and I have no reason whatsoever to seek to denigrate his person.All I am stating is that the so-called Zimbabwe Lawyers for Justice seems to have no other member besides Mr.Dinha.
As a member of the legal profession in Zimbabwe,I have a vested interest in knowing more about the real agenda behind the so-called ZLJ.For instance,I would be happy to be advised whether or not the ZLJ is registered as a trust and if so,the identities of its board of trustees and their connection,if any,with the legal profession.I am alarmed when lawyers who purport to be driven by an agenda for justice,loudly and publicly clamour for the imposition of a state of emergency in Zimbabwe.
For any lawyer of sound mind to publicly call for the imposition of a state of emergency surely boggles the mind.What exact '' justice'' is the ZLJ clamouring for by failing to call for the immediate cessation of the de facto state of emergency that presently obtains in Zimbabwe? I am a member of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and any interested person is free to call at the offices of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights to examine its membership register.The constitution of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is a matter of public record.
Put simply,the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is a legitimate grouping of lawyers who share common views regarding the promotion,protection and enhancement of human rights in Zimbabwe.
If I may ask,how exactly does the so-called Zimbabwe Lawyers for Justice distinguish itself from the core agenda of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights? When,where and by whom was the so-called Zimbabwe Lawyers for Justice formed?The legal profession is an honourable profession no wonder collegues commonly refer to each other as '' my learned friend ''.
The last thing the profession wants is to have the sprouting of rag-tag groupings of low-profile lawyers masquerading as human rights defenders.
I will be the first person to passionately and vigorously defend the constitutional right of freedom of association and in this respect therefore,I am not by any stretch of the imagination suggesting that lawyers should be barred from establishing organisations whose main agenda is to push forward whatever lawful and legitimate agendas that they might have.
My main concern is with rogue lawyers,some of whom have been de-registered for such dishonourable and criminal activities such as the pilfering of trust funds,publicly calling for the re-structuring of the Law Society of Zimbabwe and/or the imposition of a fully-fledged state of emergency.
If a person is a genuine human rights defender then he/she should consistently fight for the observance of the rule of law as opposed to the rule by law.Zimbabweans are already suffering under the present de facto state of emergency.What more suffering can they endure if the call by the so-called Zimbabwe Lawyers for Justice for the imposition of a state of emergency by the illegal regime presently ruling Zimbabwe is heeded?
As members of an honourable profession,lawyers should not go out of their way to put the profession into serious disrepute.
If some of our lawyers's personal political ambitions are allowed to denigrate the otherwise good public image of the legal profession,then perhaps it is high time the Law Society of Zimbabwe stands its ground and takes appropriate disciplinary action against such errant members.I am not advocating vindictiveness.
All I am submitting is that as lawyers,we should behave and conduct ourselves honourably in our professional,political and even private lives.I am not insulting anyone by concluding that the so-called Zimbabwe Lawyers for Justice seems to be a virtual one-man band; desperate to scandalise and besmirch the good name,public standing and reputation of the legal profession in Zimbabwe.
Senator Obert Chaurura Gutu
www.gutulaw.co.zw
www.gutuforsenator.co.zw
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