By Joe Bradley
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume, a legal practitioner by profession, finds himself at the center of a storm following allegations of professional misconduct and a callous disregard for the well-being of a vulnerable client. Reports suggest that Mayor Mafume, acting as the conveyancer in the sale of Lingfield School in Gweru, has allegedly withheld a substantial sum of $300,000 from Gogo Stella Mabandla(71yr), one of the property’s directors.
This withholding of funds has left the ailing Mrs. Mabandla in a desperate situation, hospitalized in Harare and urgently requiring medical attention that she cannot afford without her rightful share of the sale proceeds.The intricate details of this financial entanglement paint a disturbing picture. Mayor Mafume was reportedly engaged by his uncle, Wilson Muvuti, to facilitate the property transaction between Mr. and Mrs. Mabandla and the buyer. The agreed-upon sale saw Stella Mabandla entitled to 50 percent of the proceeds.
However, a significant portion of her due remains in limbo, allegedly held by the very lawyer entrusted to ensure a smooth and equitable transfer.Compounding this already troubling scenario are allegations of a calculated effort to financially disadvantage Stella Mabandla .
Investigative reports point towards a potential syndicate, allegedly spearheaded by her estranged husband, Morton Mabandla , working in concert with Wilson Muvuti and, critically, Mayor Mafume. Sources suggest that Mr. Mabandla may have previously transferred properties without his wife’s consent, further exacerbating her current vulnerability.
The timing of Mr. Mabandhla’s alleged removal of Stella Mabandla from their medical aid, knowing her pre-existing health conditions, casts a dark shadow over his intentions and adds weight to the claims of a deliberate campaign against her.The plight of Stella Mabandla , described as a hardworking woman who amassed properties during her time in the UK, is particularly distressing.
Now, in her hour of need, the funds that are rightfully hers are seemingly being held hostage. From her hospital bed, she has reportedly pleaded with Mayor Mafume to release the $300,000, a sum that stands as the key to accessing crucial medical care.Mayor Mafume’s alleged actions raise serious questions about his professional ethics and his duty of care as a lawyer.
Holding onto a client’s funds without a clear and justifiable legal basis is a grave breach of trust and undermines the very foundation of the legal profession. His role as a public figure, holding the esteemed office of Mayor of Harare, further amplifies the gravity of these allegations.
The suggestion that he might be complicit in a scheme to deprive a vulnerable woman of her financial resources casts a long shadow over his credibility and integrity as a lawyer and national leader.The unfolding saga serves as a stark reminder of the potential for abuse of power and the vulnerability of individuals facing complex legal and financial situations.
Stella Mabandhla’s urgent need for medical treatment underscores the human cost of this alleged professional misconduct. The calls for the immediate release of her funds are growing louder, demanding accountability and justice for a woman seemingly caught in a web of financial intrigue.
The Law Society of Zimbabwe and relevant authorities will undoubtedly be watching this case closely, as it has the potential to significantly impact public trust in both the legal profession and the office of the Mayor.Muvuti the buyer is also holding nearly 200 000 and has been promising Stella Mabandla to give her but to no avail.
