Zimpapers Logo

Joseph James

Mashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
THE legal fraternity yesterday paid tribute to the late respected Bulawayo senior lawyer Joseph James who died on Sunday at Royal Women’s Clinic. James, 59, a partner at Moyo-Majwabu and Nyoni Legal Practitioners who succumbed to cancer, was described as an experienced and resourceful lawyer whose death has left a gap that will be difficult to fill in the legal fraternity.

Job Sibanda of Job Sibanda and Associates said the legal fraternity was left poorer following James’ demise.

“I’m really saddened by James’ death. Personally I had an opportunity to interact with him when I first worked with him and he proved to be a great and friendly lawyer who was willing to share his expertise with others. He was a well-respected lawyer who undoubtedly was one of the best legal practitioners particularly in criminal and civil matters,” said Sibanda.

He said James also made a great contribution to the Zimbabwe’s new Constitution.

Matshobana Ncube, a senior partner at Phulu and Ncube law firm, said James was an accommodative lawyer who was not difficult to work with.

“Essentially we’ve been left quite poorer as lawyers in Bulawayo and Zimbabwe as a whole following James’ death. He was a senior lawyer who gave most junior lawyers guidance and counsel. Most of us went through his capable hands and he proved to be a dependable person who wasn’t difficult to work with and surely we’ll sadly miss him,” said Ncube.

Another prominent city lawyer, Godfrey Nyoni described James as a great mentor whose law skills were unmatched.

“He was one of the best lawyers in Bulawayo who demonstrated his matchless skills in the legal fraternity. He imparted his knowledge to the young lawyers and I’m one of the lawyers who had a privilege to work with him and just a few months ago we attended a lawyers’ training programme at the Law Society of Zimbabwe House in Bulawayo and he was one of the facilitators on the advocacy skills,” said Nyoni.

Prince Butshe Dube of Mcijo, Dube and Partners said James was a fatherly figure in the legal profession who contributed immensely in the legal field.

In its condolence message, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), in a statement said it learned with deep sadness of the death of James.

“Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has learned with deep sadness of the profound loss of Joseph James in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on Sunday 28 June 2015. Jumbo” — as Joseph James was affectionately called — was a principled member of the legal profession in Zimbabwe, and a deeply respected past president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe between 2005 and 2008,” said ZLHR.

ZLHR said throughout his tenure, James acquitted himself with the highest levels of fearlessness, professionalism and commitment to protecting the independence and integrity of the legal profession and speaking truth to power.

“Respected and loved by his peers both within the profession and on the bench, Jumbo also endeared himself to new generations of lawyers, and was always ready and willing to mentor and support them. It’s no surprise that his commitment to the profession and to justice for all, earned him recognition when he was honoured with the Walter Kamba Rule of Law Award in 2012.”

Survived by wife and four children, James is a former President of the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) and ex-chairman of the Sports and Recreation Commission of Zimbabwe.

He had also been a Trustee of the Legal Resource Foundation (LRF) since 2008 and at the time of his death he was the chairperson of its Board of Trustees.

Mourners are gathered at No. 6, Bucknall Close in Kumalo, Bulawayo.

Funeral arrangements will be announced today.