Lawyer Dube under fire

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

A complex web of allegations has engulfed legal practitioner Dumisani Dube, as the Office of the Master of the High Court initiates a thorough review of complaints lodged by former directors of Fools Investments (Pvt) Ltd. The company, currently under corporate rescue proceedings, finds itself at the center of a swirling controversy involving accusations of fraudulent activities, illegal mining, and the misappropriation of substantial funds.

The core of the complaint, filed by directors Munyaradzi Charakupa and Paul Chakaingesu, centers on allegations that Dube orchestrated a deceptive process to place Fools Investments under corporate rescue. They allege that Dube, in collusion with a former company employee, Mohammed Daka, fabricated documents to secure a corporate rescue certificate. A key point of contention is a purportedly forged resolution attributed to shareholder Xu Xiaofei, which allegedly granted Dube the authority to act as corporate rescue practitioner.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, Dube is accused of conducting unauthorized mining operations at the company’s Plumtree mine, despite a suspension order from the Ministry of Mines. Furthermore, he is alleged to have sold company assets without proper authorization. The complainants claim that Dube has misappropriated approximately US$1.5 million, derived from asset sales and mining activities, failing to remit these funds to either the shareholders or the Master of the High Court. Separate accusations include the embezzlement of funds from a trust account entrusted to him by the company's directors.

The accusations have triggered a multi-pronged response. The Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has launched an investigation into Dube’s professional conduct, issuing a notice requiring him to respond to the complaints within fourteen days, with potential referral to the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee. The Zimbabwe Republic Police, the National Prosecutor General, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, and other relevant authorities have also been notified of the serious allegations.

Charakupa and Chakaingesu have issued a call for urgent action, characterizing Dube’s actions as unethical and criminal, and claiming they have inflicted significant financial damage on Fools Investments and its shareholders.