09 Dec 2019

Former High Court Judge, Justice Mphaphi Phumaphi says hard work and honesty are key in legal practice.

Speaking at the official opening of Isaac and Associates satellite office and the 10^th anniversary in Kasane on December 7, Justice Phumaphi said there was a concern of lawyers overcharging clients for legal services.

He said it was important for lawyers to charge reasonable fees for services they provided instead of taking advantage of the situation the clients come in.

He, however, expressed confidence that Mr Jost Sinvula Isaac was not the type of lawyer that was interested more in making money than assisting the public.

Justice Phumaphi said the fact that Mr Isaac considered opening a satellite office in Kasane despite him doing well in Palapye was an indication that he wants to serve people first.

He said since Mr Isaac studied and lived in Gaborone he could have been tempted into opening a satellite office there instead of coming to give back to the community of Kasane where he originates.

He added that Kasane residents need legal services of various qualities and that lawyers were a necessary profession to have Kasane. Justice Phumaphi added that with the Kazungula Bridge project he foresaw growth in all industries, the legal practice included.

He, however, advised Mr Isaac that he should never leave any of the offices without a professional who could act accordingly on the type of services needed. Justice Phumaphi also encouraged Mr Isaac to charge his clients appropriately.

He said lawyers should not take shortcuts but research before taking cases to the courts of law.

On the 10^th anniversary, Justice Phumaphi noted that it was a great achievement and that not many lawyers boast a similar achievement.

He encouraged Mr Isaac to continue with the good work of corporate social responsibility and commended him for previously donating air conditioners to all the 10 dikgotla in Chobe, donating chairs to Kasane Primary School, donating photocopiers to secondary schools in Selebi Phikwe and Tsetsebjwe.

Justice Phumaphi pleaded with Chobe residents to help make Mr Isaac’s business a success so that he could be able to give back to them.

For his part, Mr Isaac said he started operating in Palapye in 2009. He said he started his profession at Moupo, Motswagole and Dingake but later joined Lecha and Associates.

Mr Issac and his wife also run a seafood outlet known as Ocean Foods, and at the same occasion, Mr Isaac Poniso won himself a Toyota Vitz which was to be won through a competition ran by Ocean Foods for anyone who bought Cool Time worth over P600.

Mr Isaac explained that together with his wife, they wanted to empower the youth in Chobe to run their own businesses, but lamented that only a few entered the competition as most of them were reluctant to buy and sell cool time.

Isaac and Associates satellite office will open its doors next year and will operate from Duncan Mall in Kazungula. ends