Zimbabwe’s top legal mind Advocate Chikumbirike dies
http://www.africalegalbrief.com/
Friday, 06 May 2011 07:51
The legal fraternity yesterday described prominent lawyer Mr George Charles
Chikumbirike who died on Wednesday as a legal icon who contributed immensely
to the development of law in Zimbabwe.
He was 56. Mr Chikumbirike, who died at St Annes Hospital after a short
illness, was arguably one of the best legal brains in the country.Mr
Chikumbirike was a senior partner at Chikumbirike and Associates.Harare
lawyer Mr Jonathan Samkange, who had known Mr Chikumbirike for 37 years
described him as a good lawyer and friend.
“I have known Chikumbirike for the past 37 years and he had been a good
friend. He was my personal friend and I was actually his best man.
“He was a very good lawyer who quickly rose to become one of the best
lawyers.
“His death is unbelievable and a blow to the whole legal fraternity,” said
Mr Samkange.
Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Advocate Eric Matinenga
said Mr Chikumbirike was a great lawyer who gave the best for his clients.
“Some may have disagreed with him, but at the end of the day, he gave the
best for his clients.
“It is a very sad loss to the profession and for some of us who associated
with him at personal and professional levels,” said Adv Matinenga.
Another lawyer Mr Selby Hwacha of Dube Manikai and Hwacha law firm described
Chikumbirike as a “huge legal brain” and a source of inspiration for many
lawyers.
“George was a very good legal mind and he inspired most of us who were many
years behind to practice law.
“If you look at most criminal cases in this country, George produced the
most dramatic and creative results,” said Mr Hwacha.
In a condolence, secretary general of the Magistrates Association of
Zimbabwe Mr Munamato Mutevedzi said Mr Chikumbirike’s death was a big loss
to the fraternity.
“The legal fraternity will be poorer without the legal icon Chikumbirike. He
was a quick-witted lawyer who would never make a tired argument in court.
“He always had new ideas and was so persuasive and so eloquent in his
arguments that he could easily convince the court that he had re-invented
the wheel.
“His contribution to the development of the law in Zimbabwe remains
indelible and because of this, we should not despair.
“Instead, we should celebrate the life of a legal icon,” said Mr Mutevedzi.
Mr Chikumbirike was born on October 27, 1956 in Murewa and went to Murewa
Mission for his primary and secondary education.
He enrolled at the then University of Rhodesia in 1976 to study law,
obtaining his Bachelor of Law degree in 1978 and LLB the following year.
He then joined the Justice ministry as a magisterial assistant. Mr
Chikumbirike quit the bench and had a brief stint at Coghlan, Welsh and
Guest.
He left to join Chirunda and Chihambakwe law firm, where he became a partner
and the firm was to be called Chirunda, Chihambakwe and Chikumbirike. He
left to form his own law firm Chikumbirike and Associates in 1994.
Mr Chikumbirike left behind a wife and several children. He will be buried
at his rural home in Murewa tomorrow.
Mourners are gathered at Number 11 Wood Lane, Borrowdale, Harare.-Herld