The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has recently compensated Amos Siska, a Gweru resident, with a sum of ZWG143,368 for the inj_ries he sustained during a vi0lent encounter with law enforcement officers four years prior.
This incident occurred in April 2020, amidst the COVID-19 lockdown, when Siska was waiting in line outside Stanbic Bank to conduct his banking business.
As ZRP officers were enforcing lockdown regulations, they resorted to brutal measures, a$saulting Siska and other queue-goers with truncheons and their feet, which resulted in Siska suffering serious injur!es, including a fractured arm.
The physical trauma inflicted upon him caused significant pain and required hefty medical expenses, further impacting his quality of life.
To pursue justice for this egregious violation of his rights, Siska sought the legal assistance of Reginald Chidawanyika from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), who helped him file a lawsuit against high-ranking officials, including ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Kazembe Kazembe.
In April 2022, following a complete trial, Gweru Provincial Magistrate Miriam Banda ruled in favor of Siska, asserting that the actions of the police were unjustified and unlawful.
The court ordered both Matanga and Kazembe to pay compensatory damages for the shock, suffering, and medical costs incurred by Siska as a direct result of the as$ault.
This landmark case not only highlighted the need for accountability within law enforcement but also reinforced the importance of citizen rights amidst oppressive conditions.
SOURCE : NEWSREPORTZIM.COM
