Senior lawyer Advocate Dr. Lewis Uriri has declined a luxury vehicle and cash gifts worth a combined $350,000 from controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo. Uriri rejected a brand-new 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography valued at $250,000, $50,000 for fuel, and a further $50,000 for his wife. He stated that accepting these gifts could compromise public confidence in his professional independence.
Chivayo offered the gifts publicly without prior discussion, more than two years after their last conversation. He announced the gifts in a social-media tribute, describing Uriri as a "lawyer par excellence" who had represented him fearlessly during numerous legal battles. Chivayo jokingly described the $50,000 intended for Uriri's wife as a "handbag allowance."
Uriri and his wife carefully considered the announcement and decided to reject the vehicle and both cash payments. He emphasized that all legal work performed for Chivayo had already been paid for in full. Uriri cited the country's Legal Practitioners' Code of Conduct, which requires lawyers to preserve their integrity, professional independence, and public confidence in the profession.
The Zimbabwe Temple Bar founder referenced principles established by the International Bar Association and writings from the International Commission of Jurists concerning lawyers' freedom from conflicting personal interests. Uriri stated that he considered it necessary to decline benefits that could reasonably create a perception of personal financial obligation extending beyond a concluded and fully remunerated professional engagement.
Prominent lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu praised Uriri's refusal as an important defense of the legal profession's independence. Mpofu described Uriri as Zimbabwe's most senior advocate still actively engaged in practice. He contrasted Uriri's decision with religious organizations and other public figures that have accepted Chivayo's gifts.
Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti also praised Uriri, recalling that he recruited him directly from law school and mentored him at the law firm Honey & Blanckenberg. Biti noted that Uriri's forthcoming volumes on constitutional law would be valuable additions to legal libraries. Chivayo has spent tens of millions of dollars on vehicles and cash gifts for various prominent figures during the past two years.
Most publicly named beneficiaries have accepted Chivayo's gifts, although Uriri is not the first to refuse. Eunor Guti, widow of ZAOGA founder Archbishop Ezekiel Guti, previously rejected a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series VXR and $250,000 offered to her personally. She later disclosed that the church had also declined a $2 million donation from Chivayo.
Key points
- Advocate Lewis Uriri rejected $350,000 gifts from Wicknell Chivayo to maintain professional independence.
- Uriri cited the country's Legal Practitioners' Code of Conduct and principles from the International Bar Association.
- The decision was praised by prominent lawyers, including Thabani Mpofu and Tendai Biti.
