Harare lawyer Fiona Machekeche has been sucked into a storm amid allegations she abused over $42 000 in trust funds after converting to her own use proceeds from the sale of a client’s property.
BY RICHARD CHIDZA
Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) president Vimbai Nyemba yesterday confirmed the legal regulatory body was investigating such a case and had since suspended Machekeche.
“We have received complaints regarding the said lawyer and are in the process of investigating to ascertain what really transpired,” Nyemba told NewsDay.
“Meanwhile, Machekeche has been suspended from practice for up to six weeks while investigations are carried out. Her law firm (Machekeche and Partners) has also been placed under the charge of a curator.”
NewsDay is in possession of a letter Machekeche allegedly wrote to one of her clients, Marlvin Mbazima, confirming she would reimburse over $42 000 she converted to personal use after selling his property in the capital.
“Further to the meeting held at Machekeche and Partners Legal Practitioners between yourself and our Mrs Fiona Machekeche on this the 27th day of May 2015, we hereby establish our irrevocable letter of guarantee in your favour Marlvin Mgamanzi Mbazima, in an amount of $24 187,85,” the letter reads.
“We further irrevocably guarantee that we will fully honour to transfer the said $42 187,85 to your account on or before Friday 5th June 2015. In the event that this guarantee is not honoured, Mbazima is free to take any action.”
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Mbazima yesterday said Machekeche had still promised to pay back his money.
“She called me yesterday (Tuesday) claiming that she failed to honour her promise to pay me through other sources because her account has been placed under curatorship after someone reported her to the LSZ for some other case that I have no idea of,” he said.
“She has asked to meet me on Thursday (today) and if she does not pay, I will also be forced to report her.” Machekeche could not be reached for comment yesterday.
