Lewis Uriri: Rejects Chivayo Gift Over Ethics Concerns

• Advocate Lewis Uriri declined a US$350,000 gift from businessman Wicknell Chivayo, citing ethical considerations.
• The gift included a 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography valued at US$250,000, plus US$50,000 cash for fuel and an additional US$50,000 for Uriri's wife.
• Uriri stated he had been fully compensated for all past professional services to Chivayo, with their last interaction in June 2024.
• He emphasized adherence to Zimbabwe's Legal Practitioners' Code of Conduct and international principles, prioritizing professional independence and public confidence.
• This marks the second high-profile rejection of a lavish gift from Chivayo, following Dr. Eunor Guti's refusal of gifts exceeding US$250,000.

His decision underscored the paramount importance of preserving professional standing and public confidence in the independence of legal practitioners.

Prominent legal advocate Lewis Uriri recently declined a substantial gift valued at US$350,000, offered by businessman Wicknell Chivayo. The generous proposal, publicly announced by Chivayo on a Monday morning, included a brand-new 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography, priced at US$250,000, along with an additional US$50,000 in cash designated for fuel. Chivayo also extended a separate offer of US$50,000 to Uriri's wife, who is also a legal professional, as a "handbag allowance."

Chivayo's public statement, shared on X, lauded Uriri as a dedicated and exceptional lawyer whose contributions merited significant recognition. This commendation followed Uriri's previous representation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the constitutional court challenge related to the 2018 presidential election. However, Uriri swiftly responded, publicly rejecting the offer less than two hours after its announcement.

In his refusal, also communicated via X, Uriri clarified that he had already received full payment for all legal services previously rendered to Chivayo. He noted that their last direct communication occurred in June 2024, and he had not undertaken any professional assignments for the businessman since that time. Uriri emphasized that his past remuneration was for services actually performed, and Chivayo's unexpected announcement came without any prior consultation or discussion.

Advocate Uriri articulated that his decision stemmed from a careful consideration of the significant value of the gifts, their explicit link to past professional engagements, and the elapsed time since their last interaction. He highlighted the imperative for legal practitioners to adhere strictly to ethical guidelines, particularly those outlined in Zimbabwe's Legal Practitioners' Code of Conduct. This code mandates the preservation of integrity, the safeguarding of professional independence, and the maintenance of public trust in the legal profession.

Furthermore, Uriri referenced broader international legal principles, including those espoused by the International Bar Association and the International Commission of Jurists. These foundational texts underscore the necessity for a lawyer's professional judgment to remain entirely independent and unburdened by any potential personal conflicts of interest.

Applying these rigorous standards to the situation, Uriri concluded that accepting such benefits could reasonably create a perception of a personal financial obligation extending beyond a professional relationship that had already concluded and been fully compensated. Both he and his wife, a fellow legal professional, attached significant importance to upholding their professional standing and ensuring public confidence in their impartiality.

The incident serves as a significant reminder for legal professionals and compliance officers in Zimbabwe regarding the stringent evaluation of gifts from current or former clients. It underscores the critical importance of ensuring professional independence and actively avoiding any appearance of undue influence or conflicts of interest, even after a professional engagement has formally concluded.

This particular rejection by Uriri stands in contrast to other instances involving Chivayo's lavish gift-giving. For example, cleric Emmanuel Makandiwa of the United Family International Church (UFIC) accepted a US$1 million gift from the businessman, which included a 2026 Rolls-Royce Cullinan and a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. However, Uriri is not the first prominent individual to decline such an offer; Dr. Eunor Guti, the wife of the late founder of ZAOGA FIF, Ezekiel Guti, also reportedly turned down gifts from Chivayo valued at over US$250,000.

Uriri's principled stance highlights the continuous need for the legal profession to uphold its integrity and maintain public confidence. His decision underscored the paramount importance of preserving professional standing and public confidence in the independence of legal practitioners.

This case serves as a critical reminder for lawyers and compliance officers in Zimbabwe to rigorously evaluate any substantial gifts from current or former clients against the Legal Practitioners' Code of Conduct, ensuring professional independence and avoiding perceptions of undue influence or conflicts of interest. It underscores the importance of upholding integrity and public confidence in the legal profession, even when a professional relationship has concluded.

Source: Reporting based on recent media coverage.