HARARE – Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim leader and seasoned legal practitioner, Professor Welshman Ncube, has issued a formal apology to the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe after it emerged that he had submitted court documents containing non-existent and irrelevant legal case citations — the result of reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for legal research.
The incident occurred during proceedings in the case Pulserate Investments (Pvt) Ltd v Andrew Zuze and Others [SC202/25], where Professor Ncube appeared for the appellant. The legal submissions, prepared under his instruction, reportedly referenced twelve case authorities, many of which either did not exist in any recognised legal database or were completely unrelated to the arguments being made.
According to court sources, the Supreme Court bench raised concerns over the dubious citations, prompting a closer examination of the cases cited in Welshman Ncube’s heads of argument. It was soon discovered that some of the references appeared to be entirely fabricated — fictional judgments that had never been delivered by any Zimbabwean or Commonwealth court.
In response, Professor Ncube admitted the error and offered an unreserved apology to the court. He explained that the problematic citations were produced using AI-powered tools and had not been independently verified before filing. Ncube took full responsibility for the oversight, acknowledging that as a senior legal officer and officer of the court, it was his duty to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all submissions made in his name.
“I wish to sincerely apologise to the Honourable Court for the inclusion of legal citations that were either irrelevant or fictitious,” said Welshman Ncube in his written statement. “This was an unfortunate lapse on my part. While the use of AI was meant to enhance efficiency in the research process, I fully acknowledge that it does not replace the need for human verification, especially in matters of such gravity.”
Welshman Ncube Apologises to Supreme Court After AI-Generated Legal Citations Blunder
The apology was formally accepted by the court, though the judges did not hide their displeasure over the incident. One member of the bench reportedly described the incident as “deeply troubling” and warned that legal practitioners must exercise “utmost diligence and caution” when using emerging technologies, especially in constitutional and appellate courts.
The error has not only embarrassed one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent legal minds but has also ignited fresh debate about the appropriate use of AI in the legal profession. While AI tools — such as ChatGPT and other generative platforms — are increasingly being used by legal professionals to conduct quick research and draft initial legal documents, critics argue that these tools can also produce inaccurate, misleading, or entirely fictional content if not rigorously fact-checked.
Legal experts in Zimbabwe and abroad have weighed in on the matter, with some defending the potential benefits of AI in modern legal practice, while others have urged for strict guidelines to govern its use. “AI should never be used as a primary authority in legal filings,” said one Harare-based legal analyst. “It can assist in generating ideas or providing general information, but every single citation must be independently verified against authentic legal databases such as ZimLII, SAFLII, or law reports.”
Professor Welshman Ncube, a constitutional law expert and former Cabinet Minister, is widely respected in legal and political circles. However, the incident has served as a reminder that even the most experienced practitioners are not immune to the pitfalls of over-reliance on unverified technological tools.
In court, the matter was temporarily stood down to allow Welshman Ncube’s legal team to revise and refile the submissions using properly verified authorities. The court also instructed that future pleadings in the case must adhere strictly to recognised legal standards.
Outside the courtroom, Welshman Ncube reiterated his commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and legal ethics. He also used the opportunity to warn fellow practitioners — especially younger lawyers — about the limitations of AI in legal practice.
“This incident has taught me a humbling lesson,” Welshman Ncube said. “As a legal fraternity, we must embrace innovation, but never at the expense of accuracy, credibility, and trust in our justice system. Let this serve as a warning and a learning opportunity for all.”
As Zimbabwe’s judiciary navigates the implications of digital transformation, legal professionals are being urged to tread carefully — balancing efficiency with the foundational principles of diligence and truth.The Pulserate Investments matter is expected to proceed once corrected submissions are made.
Source- iHarare
