Prominent Lawyer In Court For Theft Of Trust Property
Prominent Harare lawyer, Simplisius Julius Chihambakwe, appeared before Harare magistrate, Marewanazvo Gofa, on Thursday, 19 October, charged with theft of trust property involving US$154 000.
NewsDay reported that Chihambakwe is the first black Law Society of Zimbabwe president.
He is accused of diverting trust money, which was intended to pay for the fees due to the Master of the High Court, in order to finalise the winding up of two deceased estates.
He was granted free bail by the magistrate who remanded him to 22 November pending trial.
The complainant is Tsungirirayi Banga Mandizvidza, who is represented by Allen Kadye.
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Mandizvidza is a beneficiary to the estate of her late parents Chrispen Purisa Mandizvidza and Auxillia Maema Mandizvidza.
According to court papers, Chihambakwe was the executor of the two deceased estates.
The court heard that on 20 March 2014, the beneficiaries of the estate resolved to sell some properties to settle the fees due to the Master of the High Court to finalise the winding up of the deceasedâs estate.
They resolved to sell two buildings and some equipment and realised US$154 311,20 which information was passed on to the executor to comply according to the request.
The State alleges that the money was deposited into a trust account held by Chihambakwe.
Chihambakwe, however, did not pay the Masterâs fees as requested, but allegedly diverted the money to offset outstanding legal fees, ignoring the beneficiariesâ instructions.
Mandizvidza allegedly went on to pay the Masterâs fees using her own funds with a view to finalise the winding up of the estates of her late parents.
Chihambakwe allegedly prejudiced the supposed beneficiaries of US$154 311,20. Nothing was recovered.
More:Â Pindula News
