Maravi

Malila mourns Kasonde

Malila mourns Kasonde
By Maluba Jere and Bright Mukwasa
Mon 16 Jan. 2012, 13:57 CAT

ATTORNEY General Mumba Malila says the death of 77-year-old lawyer Andrew Kasonde has dealt a severe blow to a delicate part of the legal profession.

During a valedictory service on Saturday for Kasonde, a legal practitioner of nearly 50 years and probably the oldest member of the profession in private practice, Malila said Kasonde was a serious advocate and truly learned in the law.

He said the late Kasonde was very diligent in his work and that he paid close attention to detail.

"He articulated his arguments exceedingly well and articulated his arguments in near-perfect English. He had great love and mastery of the English language," Malila said.

He said with Kasonde as opposing counsel in court, rather than having fun, many practitioners were given a good run for their money and that they were taught life lessons in advocacy.

Malila said the late advocate who was known as probably the only lawyer who did not drive, would for a long time to come remain the most modest advocate the bar had ever known.

"Senior counsel Kasonde loved his profession and the courts where he mainly practiced it. Despite his preferred mode of transport being no doubt the slowest, he was often punctual for his court cases," he said.

"…Out of choice and principle, he never gave in to the lure of luxurious and comfortable living which most advocates glamour for."

Malila added that Kasonde's death should remind legal practitioners of the need to document the history of the legal profession in the country, saying the knowledge and expertise that late Kasonde had would have been tapped and written down for posterity.

He also conveyed his deepest sympathies to the bereaved family asking God to comfort the family during the sad time.

And Law Association of Zambia president James Banda says the death of Kasonde was a tragedy to the law profession in the country.

Banda said Kasonde's passing was a sad day event the Zambian legal profession.

"The death of a loved one is one of the most devastating experiences a human can face and at times the loss may seem unbearable. It is natural that after the death of a loved one, we might be confronted with a number of overwhelming emotions, including shock, numbness, sadness, and perhaps even guilt or anger," Banda said.

"My Lord, it is with this in mind that, on behalf of the LAZ Council, all members of the Law Association of Zambia and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to extend to the family of the late Mr Andrew Kasonde our profound sorrow and regret on his demise. His death is a loss to the legal fraternity. When I got news of Mr. Kasonde's death I made inquiries from some senior members of the bar who interacted with him and they all confirmed to me that in his own unique way he had a very cordial and courteous relationship not only with the members of the bar but the bench as well."

Banda urged lawyers to emulate the virtues of the late Kasonde.

Labels: LAWYERS, MUMBA MALILA

posted by MrK @ 7:33 PM