Chaos at Legal Council Sinks Fraud Case against Secretary Huggins Duri

ZimNow Reporter

“The documents are in disarray. You can’t make any conclusive determination on what documents exist or don’t,” declared Deputy Chief Magistrate Donald Ndirowei as he acquitted Council for Legal Education secretary Huggins Duri and lawyer Simbarashe Madzivire of fraud charges tied to fake law certificates.

The ruling exposed systemic disorganization at the legal oversight body and the state’s failure to prove corruption claims, despite publicized arrests of high-profile figures like musician Ivy Kombo and pastor Admire Kasi. 

Prosecutors accused Duri of illegally issuing Madzivire a certificate falsely stating he passed exams required for foreign-trained lawyers.

Both men denied wrongdoing, and Ndirowei dismantled the state’s case, calling witness testimony “replete with inconsistencies” and stressing that “there was no nexus of documents that establish any malpractice.”

He added there was no evidence Duri received bribes or benefits, concluding, “no proof beyond reasonable doubt” existed. 

“The issue is with the Council for Legal Education as an institution,” Ndirowei said, leaving unresolved questions about accountability in a body tasked with upholding legal standards and the capacity of the National Prosecuting Authority.