Zimpapers Logo

Joseph James

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
PROMINENT Bulawayo lawyer Joseph James, who died on Sunday, is credited with forming the Bulawayo Lawyers Association (BLA). James, 59, a senior partner at Moyo-Majwabu and Nyoni Legal Practitioners, succumbed to cancer. His family described him as a sociable person who did not discriminate against anyone.

Close friend and fellow lawyer, Josphat Tshuma, said James worked for the development of the justice system in Bulawayo.

“I first met him in January 1985 when I started practising. At that time we used to meet socially to discuss issues relating to the profession.

“We made an arrangement that on Fridays of every monthend we meet over drinks or snacks in their office to discuss our vision for the profession. Out of that kind of intercourse we became very close,” said Tshuma.

He said the office meetings that were initially meant for friends started accommodating colleagues within the profession leading to the formation of BLA.

“We saw the benefits of knowing each other as lawyers and it improved our professionalism. We decided to form BLA which is operating even today,” he said.

Tshuma said BLA came up with a constitution whose important mandate was to provide an interface role among lawyers, magistrates, police, judges and the prison services in order to enhance the justice delivery system.

Tshuma said James had vast experience in the legal profession as he started practising in 1979 and worked as a prosecutor and advocate before forming his company with other colleagues in 1987.

He said James had a passion for football and even sponsored a club in Thorngrove at one time.

“He loved football, he actually played professional football for a team called Wanderers. After his retirement, he also sponsored a team in Thorngrove suburb where he grew up. His library for football, if not bigger than that of law, equals it.”

Meanwhile, his sister Gloria James said James will be laid to rest on Saturday at a cemetery yet to be confirmed.

“We wanted to have the burial on Thursday but we’ve been approached by the community that the burial be done on Saturday. They said they wanted to give him a proper send-off. We’re going to have a church service at 8AM at the Lourdes Church in Kumalo Suburb,” she said.

“He was a good criminal lawyer, a friend to everybody from vendors to his learned friends. He never forgot his roots. We grew up in Pelandaba and Thorngrove suburbs and my brother always kept in touch with those areas even after moving out.”

She said James was a father figure who would go out of his way to assist his family.

“He was very kind, accommodative and responsible son, husband, father, and brother. All our family problems, he made them his own. He tried to help everyone in the family in any possible way, be it emotionally, financially and legally. He just listened to everybody and gave them advice. I’m at a loss for words in describing his death.”

Gloria said James attended McKeurtan Primary School before attending Founders High School for his secondary education.

He then proceeded to the University of Zimbabwe where he studied Law.