By Staff Reporter HARARE- Police are investigating the deaths of a married couple whose bodies were found in their bedroom at their home in Glen View 3, Harare, on Wednesday. The deceased have been identified as Nyasha Mhungu, 35, and his wife, Olga Muzhingi, 30. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed that investigations were underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which followed a reported marital dispute. “The ZRP is investigating the circumstances in which a couple, Nyasha Mhungu (35) and his wife, Olga Muzhingi (30), were found dead in a bedroom at a house in Glen View 3, Harare, after a marital dispute on 23rd September 2026. More details to follow,” police said. The scene was cordoned off as investigators began gathering evidence. The circumstances leading to the deaths remain unclear, and police have not established publicly whether one spouse was responsible for the other’s death, whether the deaths were self-inflicted, or whether a third party was involved. Reports indicate that the couple had experienced marital difficulties before their deaths, with family members reportedly intervening in an effort to resolve their differences. However, the nature of the dispute and whether it was directly connected to the deaths has not been established by police. Speculation circulating on social media and in the community has included theories of suicide and murder-suicide. These remain unconfirmed and should not be treated as established facts while investigations are continuing. The Herald reported that investigators were examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths after police cordoned off the property. Police are expected to provide further details as investigations progress. The case remains under investigation. Glen View couple deaths

A whirlwind blew a Grade 7 candidate’s Mathematics answer sheet out of a classroom window at Rujeko Primary School. By Staff Reporter MASVINGO- Teachers and learners at Rujeko Primary School were forced to scramble for cover after a whirlwind swept through an examination classroom while Grade 7 pupils were writing their ZIMSEC Mathematics multiple-choice paper on Tuesday. The incident occurred shortly after the pupils had completed the examination, as teachers were moving around the classroom collecting answer sheets. According to Masvingo District Schools Inspector Ishmael Chigaba, one candidate’s answer sheet was blown through an open classroom window by the sudden whirlwind and was not recovered despite an extensive search. “Yesterday there was an incident at Rujeko Primary when Grade 7 learners were writing a multiple-choice paper,” Chigaba told The Midweek Watch. “One candidate’s answer sheet was blown through an open window by a whirlwind which suddenly appeared. The paper was not recovered.” Teachers and pupils searched the school grounds and areas beyond the perimeter wall but failed to locate the missing script. The school then contacted the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC), which sent officials to assess the situation. Chigaba said the candidate was subsequently required to rewrite the examination. “The school authorities contacted ZIMSEC, which rushed to the school. After assessing the situation, the candidate was asked to rewrite the paper,” he said. “The situation was handled professionally, and everything is under control.” The incident has since generated discussion among parents and members of the community, particularly because the affected learner is reportedly one of the school’s top performers. However, there is currently no evidence that the examination script was deliberately taken or that another person was responsible for its disappearance. Some parents have nevertheless linked the incident to beliefs about jealousy and bad omens. Messages circulating in WhatsApp groups criticised parents who frequently post about their children’s academic achievements on social media, with some suggesting that such posts can attract jealousy or misfortune. Those claims remain matters of personal belief and have not been supported by any evidence connected to the missing examination script. The incident comes as Grade 7 learners across Zimbabwe sit their ZIMSEC examinations, with schools responsible for maintaining examination conditions and accounting for candidates’ scripts. ZIMSEC’s intervention ensured that the affected candidate was able to complete the Mathematics examination despite the loss of the original answer sheet. Rujeko Primary Grade 7 exam script

Benny Chimhuya was found dead after a confrontation with his son over allegations of an incestuous relationship. By Staff Reporter MANICALAND- A 50-year-old Manicaland man died in an apparent suicide after a violent confrontation with his son over allegations that he had an incestuous relationship with his 20-year-old daughter. Benny Chimhuya, popularly known as Beniza, from Parowa Village under Chief Marange, was found hanging from a tree near the Musatya River earlier this month. The allegations had been pending before Chief Marange’s traditional court when Chimhuya died. According to The Manica Post, Chimhuya’s sister, Dorcas Chimhuya-Mangwandi, said accusations that her brother was sexually involved with some of his daughters had troubled the family for years. She alleged that one of the daughters had been living with Chimhuya at Bezeley Bridge, where family members claimed they were living as husband and wife. The matter was eventually brought before Chief Marange’s court after the daughter reportedly became pregnant. Chimhuya denied the allegations, according to his sister. “He claimed that he was teaching her to drive, and because there was no witness who had seen them in bed, the matter lost weight,” Chimhuya-Mangwandi said. Son confronted father The allegations reportedly triggered a confrontation between Chimhuya and his son, Wish, on the night before his death. Chimhuya-Mangwandi said the two fought, with Wish allegedly demanding an explanation from his father over claims that he was sexually abusing his sisters. “My brother hanged himself after a fight with his son, Wish. It was a fierce fight, with Wish assaulting him and demanding to know why he was abusing and sleeping with his sisters,” she said. Wish was arrested on allegations of assaulting his father, while Chimhuya was taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for treatment. His sister said Chimhuya was discharged the following day, around the same time Wish was released from police custody. She said Chimhuya died later that evening. Chief Marange confirmed that a matter involving makunakuna, or incest, had been pending before his court. However, he said he had not yet received official notification of Chimhuya’s death at the time he was contacted. “The matter is still pending before my court. It is a pity that he killed himself. We were still doing our investigations,” the traditional leader said. He said incest was a criminal matter that would ultimately have to be referred to the police if established. Allegations remained unresolved Chimhuya’s sister said the allegations were not limited to one daughter. She claimed another daughter, who is now married, had previously complained to relatives about alleged sexual abuse. The family was reportedly unable to intervene amid longstanding disputes between Chimhuya and his siblings. A villager, speaking anonymously, also claimed that confrontations between Chimhuya and Wish over the allegations had occurred previously. However, no criminal finding had been made against Chimhuya before his death. The traditional court proceedings were still ongoing, and Chimhuya had denied the allegations against him. Police had also not issued a public statement on the death at the time of the original report. The circumstances surrounding Chimhuya’s death therefore remain subject to police investigation, while the allegations that brought the matter before Chief Marange’s court were never resolved through a criminal court. The case has left the family and community confronting both the unresolved allegations and the circumstances that preceded Chimhuya’s death. Manicaland incest allegations

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi is seeking to rejoin ZANU PF after being expelled from the party in 2017. By Staff Reporter MASVINGO- Former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi’s bid to rejoin ZANU PF has stalled after the party’s Masvingo provincial leadership summoned him to explain social media posts it says were critical of the ruling party. Mzembi, the former Masvingo South legislator and Tourism Minister, did not appear before the provincial executive council when he was summoned, according to Masvingo provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa. Mavhenyengwa said the provincial leadership wanted Mzembi to respond to posts attributed to him before deciding whether to recommend his readmission. “We had summoned him to appear before the party provincial executive council meeting where we wanted him to explain himself over some social media posts attributed to him that were critical of the party,” Mavhenyengwa said. He said Mzembi did not attend because the party secretariat had reportedly failed to reach him, but the provincial leadership expected him to appear at its next meeting. Mzembi was expelled from ZANU PF in 2017 during the factional succession battles that culminated in the removal of former President Robert Mugabe. He was associated with the G40 faction, while the rival faction supporting then Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa ultimately took control of the party. Mzembi subsequently left Zimbabwe and remained outside the country for several years. He applied to rejoin ZANU PF this year after returning to Zimbabwe. Mavhenyengwa said the provincial executive council had encountered the social-media issue while considering the application. “He applied to rejoin the party, and during deliberations to determine his application it emerged that he was posting some undesirable social media messages, so we resolved to have him come and explain himself, and we will wait for him,” he said. The provincial chairperson also dismissed claims circulating on social media that Mzembi had already been cleared to return to the party. “We only resolved to recommend the readmission of Cde Kudakwashe Gopo of Bikita, but with Mzembi we are not done yet,” Mavhenyengwa said. Mzembi’s return to ZANU PF would therefore require further consideration at provincial level before any recommendation is made to the party’s national leadership. According to Mavhenyengwa, even if the Masvingo provincial leadership approves his application, the final formalisation of his readmission would require a recommendation to the national leadership. The development leaves Mzembi’s application unresolved, with the provincial executive council expected to revisit the matter after he has been given an opportunity to respond to the concerns raised over his social-media activity. Walter Mzembi ZANU PF readmission

Munashe Makahamadze says her father’s example of kindness and service continues to shape her life. Mpundu Valerie This is more than a lesson Munashe Makahamadze learned in school it is a way of life she received from her father and a torch she now seeks to carry for others. Raised under his roof and guided by his example, Munashe has watched this principle live through her father every single day. His life is the lesson, and it is in his footsteps that she now chooses to walk. Speaking fondly about the man who shaped her worldview, she shared. "My dad has shown me over the years that everybody deserves an equal opportunity. His care for the elderly and persons with disabilities is unmatched," she says. He is kind-hearted and, above all, a blessing not only to us but to so many. It is one thing to be given your flowers when you die and quite another to be given them while you are still alive to smell them. To Munashe, her father is not just a father, he is her role model, deserving of recognition for his positive influence. "Ini sando dzavo ndovapa vachirikurarama. This is not a secret, this isn't clout. I have known this man all my life and over the years I have learnt to admire and follow his ways, though I am only covering a mere step of what he has done," she said. Train up a child in the way they should go, so that when they are old they shall not depart from it. That is the path she was taught, raised, and trained to walk on. "We thank God for blessing us with someone like him. Every day, wisdom and knowledge are ushered to us and we pray that from his guidance we shall never fall." Good deeds are to be emulated. Though we might not exceed what our father has done, we pray that on the path he directed us, we are able not only to share light among ourselves, but to others. "I could go on for ages talking about how he has moulded me, but what this man has done goes beyond our family. He has managed to show love, humility, patience and kindness to everyone." "He doesn't care about race. He isn't bothered at all. To him, all are equal and deserve a chance at life. This, in return, has taught us to love one another." "Never look down on anybody. Never let status influence how you treat people. This I have seen from my father." To her, the name is not just a name it is a legacy she aims to portray and preserve. father’s legacy of kindness

Parents raised concerns after 41 Grade Seven learners were reportedly left unregistered for their examinations. By Staff Reporter HARARE- The principal of Emirates Primary School in Retreat, Waterfalls, Harare, has been arrested over alleged failure to remit Grade Seven examination fees for 41 learners, leaving parents scrambling to secure alternative arrangements for their children. Rosemary Matunga was detained after the school allegedly transferred examination fees for only six of its candidates to Hatfield Primary School, where Emirates had arranged for its Grade Seven learners to sit their examinations. Emirates Primary School does not have its own examination centre number, according to reports, and had therefore made arrangements for its candidates to register through Hatfield Primary School. The problem emerged as the examinations began on Monday, September 21, with parents and guardians discovering that 41 learners had allegedly not been registered. Parents said they had paid the examination fees in full and had not been informed that the money for their children's registration had not been remitted. “We were not told that the school failed to pay for the examination fees,” one parent said. “We all paid the fees, but the school decided to squander the money. We questioned their professionalism.” The allegations prompted growing anger among parents, some of whom threatened to demonstrate against the school authorities and its owner, identified as Mr Pereka. According to reports, the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) subsequently intervened after parents raised the issue, with arrangements being made for the affected learners to sit the examinations at another school. One parent said the intervention came after parents threatened to protest. “After threatening to demonstrate against the school authorities, ZIMSEC officials asked to meet us and allowed our children to sit for the examination at another school,” the parent said. The incident has raised questions over the handling of examination fees and the responsibility of private schools to ensure that candidates are properly registered before examinations begin. Parents said they had assumed that their payments had been processed and that their children were duly registered. The school owner, Pereka, confirmed that the matter had arisen but said efforts were underway to resolve it. “Yes, our school is yet to register to become an examination centre, but everything is being sorted,” he said. The circumstances surrounding the missing payments remain under investigation, and it has not been established in court that the examination fees were deliberately misappropriated. Matunga's arrest is also an allegation at this stage, and she has not been convicted of any offence. The case has nevertheless highlighted the risks faced by learners and parents when examination registration arrangements are not completed before the start of national examinations. For the affected Grade Seven learners, the immediate priority was securing access to the examinations, with ZIMSEC officials reportedly making alternative arrangements after the parents raised the alarm. Grade Seven exam fees Zimbabwe

A land dispute in Clipsham has left residents facing uncertainty over the future of their plots By Staff Reporter MASVINGO- A 42-year-old woman and her two-year-old child were reportedly detained by police in Masvingo after she resisted the alleged takeover of her Clipsham plot by workers said to be acting on behalf of Chivi North MP Godfrey Mukungunugwa. Nancy Rikitai Gwaindepi and a neighbour reportedly spent a night in police cells before being released the following afternoon, according to media reports. The incident reportedly occurred after a group of men arrived at Gwaindepi’s plot and began erecting a fence enclosing four adjoining plots, each measuring about 1.5 hectares. Gwaindepi told Masvingo Mirror that she pleaded with the workers to stop, saying the development would leave her family without a home. She said a police Mahindra vehicle subsequently arrived carrying two female officers and a driver, after which she, her child and a neighbour were taken to the police station. Her husband, Prichard Tafirenyika Masocks, said the family had been left distressed by the developments. “Four days ago, my wife was arrested, and she slept in the cells. Two of my children have just left home, and we do not know where they are. They fled because of the situation,” he was quoted as saying. Gwaindepi alleged that the fenced area was part of a wider land takeover affecting more than four plots and claimed the developments would leave Mukungunugwa with at least six hectares in the Clipsham area. Workers putting up the fence reportedly told the family they had been sent by the MP. The family says it has lived in Clipsham since 2002 and is among more than 700 plot holders facing eviction from the peri-urban agricultural area. Affected residents reportedly include war veterans, former police officers and civil servants who say they have occupied their plots for more than two decades. The residents claim to hold offer letters issued by the former Ministry of Lands and say they were given verbal notices to vacate. They further allege that new beneficiaries, including senior Government officials, have been allocated the land through fresh documentation from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. The claims have not been independently established. Some affected plot holders also alleged that the process had been conducted without sufficient transparency and said repeated attempts to obtain information from relevant Government departments had not yielded answers. Gwaindepi said the dispute had taken a heavy emotional toll on her family. She also claimed that two of her children, aged 16 and 19, had left home amid the escalating dispute and that the family did not know their whereabouts. Another affected resident, 72-year-old Moffat Chikozho, reportedly said he had lived on his plot since 2002 and was disturbed by the developments. MP disputes allegations Mukungunugwa confirmed that a dispute had occurred but denied personally taking over Gwaindepi's plot. He told Masvingo Mirror that the land belonged to his brother, Day Mukungunugwa, who he said had been allocated the property by the Ministry in September 2025. The MP described Gwaindepi as an illegal occupant who had been given notice to vacate. He said the area had since been designated for agro-business plots and that his brother had been communicating with the occupants. Mukungunugwa also denied visiting the plot himself. The MP's comments contrast with claims by the family that workers putting up the fence said they had been sent by him. Meanwhile, Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said Gwaindepi's name did not appear in police records. “I have checked our records, and we don’t have that name,” Dhewa said. Mukungunugwa, however, confirmed that Gwaindepi had been arrested. The circumstances surrounding the arrests, the ownership and allocation of the disputed plots, and the status of the affected residents' offer letters remain subject to clarification from the relevant authorities. Mukungunugwa is the elected ZANU PF MP for Chivi North. Masvingo land dispute

ZANU PF officials in Masvingo have proposed a 25% share of nurse training places. By Staff Reporter MASVINGO- ZANU PF officials in Masvingo have called for the party to be allocated a quarter of nurse training places at hospitals across Zimbabwe, with the proposal potentially giving party structures a direct role in recommending candidates for admission. The demand was raised during a Joint Provincial Council meeting in Masvingo on Thursday, chaired by ZANU PF provincial chairperson Rabson Mavhenyengwa. According to reports from the meeting, officials proposed that the 25% quota be channelled through ZANU PF Members of Parliament, meaning prospective student nurses would seek recommendations from party legislators. The proposal comes amid continuing concerns over access to nursing training in Zimbabwe. The Ministry of Health and Child Care has previously acknowledged challenges around limited training places and reports of people paying money to secure admission. The government has responded by decentralising recruitment and introducing measures intended to increase local representation. The Ministry's current recruitment programme provides opportunities through central, provincial, district and mission hospitals, with the 2027 intake comprising January, May and September entry points. At the Masvingo meeting, Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeus Shamhu told party officials that he did not control the selection of trainee nurses, saying recruitment was handled by the Health Services Commission. ZANU PF provincial secretary for health Dr Tapiwa Murambi urged Shamhu to raise the matter with Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora through Government channels, while he would pursue the issue through the party. “The allocation began in 2011, and we know that you don’t have much say on it. Engage the Minister when you meet him on Government platforms,” Murambi said. “As the party’s provincial secretary for health, I engage the minister because he was our secretary for health in the Politburo. We will raise up the matter with him.” Masvingo South MP Tanatsiwa Mukomberi was also reported to have been among the officials pushing for the proposed quota. The meeting further resolved that the issue should be taken up with Mombeshora. The proposal comes against the backdrop of intense competition for limited nursing training places. The government has previously said more than 100,000 aspiring trainee nurses apply for places nationally each year, while available capacity has been estimated at about 1,200 places. At some major training institutions, thousands of applications compete for a small number of places. The government has also moved to decentralise recruitment and, in 2025, announced that 75% of recruits at nursing schools should come from the district or province where the institution is located. The measure was presented as part of efforts to improve local representation and address concerns over manipulation and corruption in recruitment. The latest proposal would introduce a separate political allocation if approved. Officials at the Masvingo meeting also reportedly called for a quota of residential stands to be allocated to ZANU PF. The nursing proposal has yet to be shown to have been approved by the Ministry of Health and Child Care. The current official recruitment information continues to direct applicants to apply through designated training institutions and warns against third parties claiming to recruit on behalf of the Ministry. ZANU PF nurse training quota

The Harare Civil Court awarded custody to the child’s father after considering allegations made against the mother. By Staff Reporter HARARE- A Harare woman has lost her bid to regain custody of her minor child after the Civil Court ruled in favour of her former husband, who alleged that she was involved in the sale of marijuana. Blessing Mawaro had approached the Harare Civil Court seeking an order compelling her former husband, Gerald Dangarembizi, to return their child. The matter was heard before Magistrate Janemary Makonye, who ultimately granted custody to Dangarembizi after considering evidence presented by both parties. Mawaro told the court that she contacted Dangarembizi on January 29, 2026, after their child became ill, with the intention of arranging medical treatment together. She said Dangarembizi insisted on taking the child, promising to return him after two weeks, but allegedly failed to honour the agreement. “I called him so that we could help each other get the child treated, but he took the child and never brought him back as agreed,” Mawaro told the court. The failure to return the child subsequently prompted Mawaro to seek the court’s intervention. Dangarembizi opposed the application, arguing that Mawaro was not a suitable person to have custody because of her alleged involvement in the illicit drug trade. He told the court that he did not want the child raised in what he described as a toxic environment. “She sells marijuana, and I do not want my child to grow up in such a toxic environment,” Dangarembizi said. To support his allegations, Dangarembizi submitted photographs and text-message exchanges which he said showed Mawaro’s alleged involvement in the trade. The court considered the submissions and evidence before ruling in Dangarembizi’s favour and awarding him custody of the minor child. The allegations of drug dealing formed part of the custody proceedings and should not be treated as a criminal conviction unless separately established in criminal proceedings. The ruling was made by Magistrate Makonye, who was among 17 new magistrates sworn into office in March 2026. Harare woman loses custody

Police are investigating the death of Buhera man Edmore Chirombe after he was found dead following a vehicle transaction. By Staff Reporter HARARE- A Buhera man was found dead in his bedroom the morning after he allegedly left home in his vehicle following negotiations with an unidentified prospective buyer. Edmore Chirombe, of Chikurure Primary School in Buhera, was found dead on September 10, a day after the unidentified man visited his homestead to discuss buying his vehicle. Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident, saying investigations were underway. According to police, the prospective buyer arrived at Chirombe’s home at about 10 am on September 9. Chirombe’s domestic worker, Arnold Musamadya, 26, reportedly witnessed the two men discussing the vehicle. The unidentified man left the homestead at around midday, while Chirombe remained at home for another two hours. Police said Chirombe later left the property at about 2 pm, driving the vehicle, but returned approximately two hours later on foot and without it. “At around 12 pm, the unknown person left Chirombe’s homestead. At around 2 pm, Chirombe left driving his vehicle and returned at around 4 pm walking on foot,” Chinyoka said. The circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s disappearance and Chirombe’s movements between leaving home and returning on foot have become part of the police investigation. The following morning, Musamadya reportedly discovered that Chirombe’s bedroom door was locked from the inside, with the keys hanging on the padlock. He looked through a window and saw Chirombe lying motionless on his bed before alerting authorities. Police from ZRP Buhera attended the scene and conducted an initial examination of the body. Chinyoka said no visible injuries were found during the initial examination. “The body was inspected, and no visible injuries were noted. It was subsequently taken to Murambinda Mission Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Investigations are still in progress,” he said. Police had not, at the time of reporting, disclosed the identity of the prospective buyer or confirmed what happened to the vehicle. The cause of Chirombe’s death has also not been established. The post-mortem examination is expected to provide further information as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding his death. The case remains under investigation, and no conclusion about the cause or circumstances of the death should be drawn before the post-mortem and further police inquiries are completed. Buhera man found dead

Stephen Sarurai has been remanded in custody until October 2 after appearing in court over the alleged murder of his wife in Hatfield. By Staff Reporter HARARE — A 30-year-old Hatfield man accused of strangling his wife with a shoelace following a dispute over alleged infidelity has been remanded in custody on a murder charge. Stephen Sarurai appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Lisa Mutendereki on Monday but was not asked to plead to the charge. He was remanded in custody to October 2, 2026, and advised to apply for bail at the High Court. The State alleges that Sarurai and his wife, Zvikomborero Tari, 26, had a dispute over allegations of infidelity at their home at Maruwa Farm Compound in Hatfield on September 17. Prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawo told the court that the dispute escalated, with Sarurai allegedly assaulting Tari before strangling her with a shoelace. Relatives subsequently rushed Tari to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival, according to the State's case. Police had earlier confirmed Sarurai's arrest in connection with the death, saying the alleged killing followed a domestic dispute arising from allegations of infidelity. The case has now moved into the court process, with the prosecution required to prove the allegations against Sarurai beyond reasonable doubt should the matter proceed to trial. Sarurai has not pleaded to the murder charge and remains entitled to due process. The circumstances surrounding the alleged confrontation and the events leading to Tari's death will be considered as the case progresses. The latest court appearance follows growing concern over fatal domestic disputes in Zimbabwe, with police in recent days also reporting other cases in which allegations of infidelity were cited as a trigger for violence. Police have repeatedly urged members of the public to seek lawful and peaceful ways of resolving domestic disputes rather than resorting to violence. Sarurai remains in custody pending his next court appearance on October 2, unless he is granted bail by the High Court before then. Hatfield man wife murder

Advocate Thabani Mpofu says Lewis Uriri’s decision to reject a US$350,000 gift package demonstrates the importance of professional independence. By Staff Reporter HARARE — Advocate Lewis Uriri has declined a package of gifts worth US$350,000 from businessman Wicknell Chivayo, saying accepting the money and vehicle could create a perception of financial obligation and compromise his professional independence. Uriri rejected a new 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography valued at US$250,000, US$50,000 in cash for fuel and a further US$50,000 offered to his wife, Mrs Uriri, as a “handbag allowance”. In a statement issued on Monday, Uriri said he and his wife had carefully considered the offer before deciding not to accept any of the gifts. He said he last spoke to Chivayo in June 2024 and had not undertaken professional work for him since then. Any previous work, he added, had been carried out in his professional capacity and paid for in full. The offer had therefore come as a surprise, and without prior discussion, Uriri said. “Applying those standards to these circumstances, I consider it necessary to decline benefits that could reasonably create a perception of personal financial obligation extending beyond a concluded and fully remunerated professional engagement,” he said. Uriri cited Zimbabwe’s Legal Practitioners’ Code of Conduct, as well as principles associated with the International Bar Association and the International Commission of Jurists, which emphasise integrity, professional independence and public confidence in the legal profession. “My wife and I attach great importance to preserving both our professional standing and public confidence in our independence,” he said. Chivayo had earlier announced the gifts in a public tribute to Uriri, whom he described as “Senior Counsel Par Excellence” and a lawyer who had represented him with courage, commitment and professionalism. He said the vehicle was fully paid for and ready for collection, while the two cash gifts were intended as a gesture of appreciation for Uriri’s past legal work and his wife’s alleged contribution to preparing legal arguments. Uriri, however, said the decision to decline the gifts was firm and asked Chivayo to respect the position. Advocate Thabani Mpofu has praised Advocate Lewis Uriri for rejecting a US$350,000 gift package from businessman Wicknell Chivayo, describing the decision as an important defence of professional independence. Mpofu said Uriri’s refusal demonstrated that legal principles should take precedence over personal gain, even when accepting the gifts would have been easier. “Lewis Uriri’s decision to disclaim Wicknell Chivayo’s public gift is a matter of the highest importance, and it must not pass without emphatic commendation,” Mpofu said. “As I have always said, some decisions matter. This is one of them.” Chivayo had publicly offered Uriri a brand-new 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography valued at US$250,000, US$50,000 in cash for fuel and another US$50,000 to Uriri’s wife as a “handbag allowance”. The total package was valued at US$350,000. Uriri rejected all three gifts, saying acceptance could create a perception of financial obligation beyond a concluded and fully paid professional relationship. In a statement issued on Monday, Uriri said he and Chivayo last spoke in June 2024 and that he had undertaken no professional work for him since then. “The historical work to which your tribute refers was performed in my professional capacity and paid for in full. My remuneration was for services actually rendered,” he said. Uriri said Chivayo’s announcement had come without prior notice or discussion. He added that the value of the gifts and their connection to previous legal services required careful consideration. He cited Zimbabwe’s Legal Practitioners’ Code of Conduct, together with principles associated with the International Bar Association and the International Commission of Jurists, which emphasise integrity, professional independence and public confidence in the legal profession. “Applying those standards to these circumstances, I consider it necessary to decline benefits that could reasonably create a perception of personal financial obligation extending beyond a concluded and fully remunerated professional engagement,” Uriri said. Mpofu said the decision should be understood within the context of Uriri’s standing as one of Zimbabwe’s senior advocates. He stressed that an advocate and an attorney are distinct branches of the legal profession and said Uriri’s seniority made the decision particularly significant. “Among Advocates who remain actively engaged in practice, Lewis is the most senior,” Mpofu said, adding that he ranked immediately after Uriri by seniority of call to the Bar. Mpofu argued that Uriri’s refusal was not merely a personal decision but a statement about the legal profession’s obligation to preserve independence. “It is the legal profession, at its highest litigation levels, choosing independence over convenience and principle over gain,” he said. He added that the decision affirmed that professional principles should not be treated as ideals to be invoked only when convenient. “Principles are not ornaments to be invoked when convenient. They are obligations to be honoured, especially when doing so carries a cost even when that cost is an Autobiography,” Mpofu said. Mpofu also said the decision was significant because it came at a time when he believed some institutions had failed to provide the moral leadership expected of them. “What Lewis has done therefore carries significance far beyond the immediate discussion,” he said. “It says that when some people refuse to stand, others will still be found who are willing to do what is right.” Chivayo had announced the gifts in a public tribute to Uriri, praising him as “Senior Counsel Par Excellence” and crediting him with defending him fearlessly in past legal matters. He also praised Uriri’s wife, who is a lawyer, suggesting that she may have contributed to the preparation of some of his legal arguments. Uriri, however, said the couple’s decision was final. “We appreciate the generosity expressed and your acknowledgment of my past work. Our decision is nevertheless firm: we will not accept the vehicle or either of the cash gifts,” he said. Lewis Uriri rejects Chivayo gift