A HEADLANDS man who was severely injured after he was allegedly assaulted by police officers from Chiendambuya Police Station last month has written to Home Affairs minister Kembo Mohadi notifying him of his intention to file a lawsuit against his suspected tormentors.
PHILLIP CHIDAVAENZI SENIOR REPORTER
Witness Murasiwa was allegedly assaulted by the mob which had an assortment of weapons around 11 o’clock at his home in Village 27, Headlands in Manicaland and had part of his property destroyed, according to his lawyer Tafadzwa Christmas from the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum.
“As such our client is claiming damages for shock, pain and suffering, unlawful arrest and detention, for being subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, property destroyed and money unlawfully taken from him,” Christmas said.
In the letter — which was also copied to Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri and the Attorney General’s Office — Christmas said he intended to file the lawsuit in terms of Section 6 of the State Liabilities Act as read with Section 70 of the Police Act.
He said his client was assaulted “all over his body with an assortment of weapons” before his property was destroyed and his money stolen in connection with an alleged assault case. A police officer identified as Chikari, clad in his uniform, allegedly handcuffed Murasiwa as the mob continued to assault him.
“They then dragged him and heaved him in the car which was parked outside. Therein they continued assaulting him with open hands until they reached Chiendambuya Police Station.”
Murasiwa was allegedly tortured by a number of police officers at the station throughout the night as he sat in a half cut drum handcuffed to a bar welded to the drum as police officers used open hands, booted feet and baton sticks to assault him.
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A formal report of assault was made against the police officer and his accomplices at Headlands Police Station under CRB 23/11/14.
Christmas said the assault on his client was unlawful and amounted to torture, leading to the complainant sustaining sustained multiple injuries all over his body.
“He suffered great humiliation and opprobrium as the unlawful acts were perpetrated at his homestead, in his bedroom and in the full view of his wife and his neighbours who had helplessly gathered outside,” Christmas said.
He added that they were still in the process of quantifying the damages.
