Advocate Uriri Declines Chivayo Gifts: Cites Legal Ethics

• Senior lawyer Advocate Lewis Uriri declined US$350,000 in gifts from businessman Wicknell Chivayo, including a luxury vehicle and cash.
• Uriri cited the need to avoid any perception of financial obligation beyond their concluded and fully paid professional relationship.
• Chivayo had publicly offered a US$250,000 Range Rover Sport and US$100,000 in cash, praising Uriri's past legal services.
• Uriri emphasized that his past work for Chivayo was fully remunerated, and his decision upholds professional independence and public confidence.
• This rejection follows other instances where public figures, including Eunor Guti and the ZAOGA church, have also declined substantial gifts from Chivayo.

In declining the lavish gifts, Advocate Uriri articulated that accepting such benefits could reasonably create a perception of personal financial obligation extending beyond a professional engagement that was already concluded and fully paid.

Senior lawyer Advocate Lewis Uriri has publicly rejected a significant gift package from businessman Wicknell Chivayo, valued at US$350,000. The offer, which included a luxury vehicle and a substantial cash sum, was announced by Chivayo in a public tribute where he lauded Uriri's legal expertise and past professional services. Uriri's decision highlights the stringent ethical considerations that govern the legal profession, particularly when it comes to accepting gifts from former clients.

The proposed gifts consisted of a brand-new 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography, with an estimated value of US$250,000, alongside US$50,000 in cash designated for fuel. Chivayo also extended an additional US$50,000 to Uriri's wife, who is also a senior lawyer, playfully referring to it as a "handbag allowance." In his public statement on Monday, Chivayo praised Uriri as a "lawyer par excellence," crediting him with fearlessly defending him in various legal disputes over the years. He asserted that Uriri had never ultimately lost a case he handled, even when initial setbacks occurred, as he would pursue appeals to secure victory.

Uriri, who holds the position of founder and chairman of the Zimbabwe Temple Bar, a prominent chambers of advocates, stated that Chivayo’s public announcement came as a complete surprise, without any prior discussion or notification. He clarified that his last communication with Chivayo was in June 2024, and he had not undertaken any professional work for the businessman since then. Uriri emphasized that all historical legal services mentioned in Chivayo's tribute were rendered in his professional capacity and had been fully remunerated, confirming that his payment was solely for services actually provided.

In declining the lavish gifts, Advocate Uriri explained that accepting such benefits could reasonably create a perception of personal financial obligation extending beyond a professional engagement that was already concluded and fully paid. He underscored the paramount importance of preserving integrity, professional independence, and public confidence in the legal profession. Uriri indicated that applying these professional conduct standards to the specific circumstances necessitated his refusal.

Both Uriri and his wife, acknowledging the possibility of her contributions to legal arguments prepared at home as suggested by Chivayo, jointly decided to reject all three components of the gift. This collective decision reflects a shared commitment to upholding their professional standing. While expressing appreciation for the generosity and acknowledgment of his past work, Uriri affirmed that their decision was resolute: neither the vehicle nor either of the cash gifts would be accepted. He conveyed his hope that Chivayo would understand and respect their position.

This incident unfolds against the backdrop of Wicknell Chivayo's well-documented history of bestowing high-value gifts upon various public figures in Zimbabwe. Over the past two years, Chivayo has distributed cash and luxury vehicles to celebrities, religious leaders, sports personalities, and other prominent individuals, with the total publicly announced value of these gifts reportedly reaching tens of millions of United States dollars. Chivayo, who amassed his fortune through state contracts, has seen many recipients publicly accept his offerings.

However, Uriri's rejection is not an isolated event. There have been other instances where beneficiaries have declined Chivayo's substantial gifts. Notably, Eunor Guti, the wife of the late ZAOGA church founder Ezekiel Guti, publicly turned down a 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series VXR and US$250,000 in cash offered as personal gifts. Furthermore, the ZAOGA church itself also declined a separate US$2 million donation from Chivayo. Advocate Uriri's principled stance, therefore, adds to a growing list of public figures prioritizing ethical considerations over personal gain, reinforcing the importance of professional conduct standards in the face of lavish gestures.

This case serves as a high-profile reminder for lawyers and compliance officers in Zimbabwe (and across Africa) about the stringent professional conduct rules regarding gifts from current or former clients. It underscores the importance of declining substantial gifts to avoid any perception of compromised independence or ongoing financial obligation, even after professional services are concluded and fully remunerated, thereby preserving professional integrity and public confidence.

Source: Original reporting