2008 politically motivated violence victim awarded $20 000.00 damages

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has revealed that Batsirai Gono, a victim of the 2008 politically motivated violence has been awarded compensatory damages in the sum of $20 000.00 for the injuries he sustained and loss of property following his assault.

"The Award was made by the High Court of Zimbabwe today the 5th of July following an application for default judgement by Gono's lawyers, the Zimbabwe Human Right NGO Forum against his assailants Gift Masango, Diamond Tapama and Chimutsa Gweshe in May 2008," said the organisation.

"The perpetrators are Zanu PF youths from Muzarabani in Mashonaland Central."

The organisation said Gono, who was represented by Kenias Shonhai from the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, was assaulted using logs and batton sticks by the Zanu PF youths on 8 May 2008 because his brother was an MDC supporter. Gono suffered 30% disability and cannot walk without crutches.

"After assaulting him the youths burnt his homestead leaving the Gono family homeless," the organisation said.

The Forum's Coordinator Blessing Gorejena said they welcomed the Judgment. "It demonstrates the need for justice by all. Gono is one of the victims who ordinarily would not have been able to access justice due to the impediments within the justice delivery system itself," he said.

He said the order serves not only to compensate Gono for the ordeal he suffered but also serves as an expression of the shared societal outrage at the ill-treatment of Gono.

"This is a positive step towards promoting respect for human rights and serves to deter future violations of rights thereby fostering a culture of accountability in the communities," Gorejena said.