Torture victim awarded ZWG140,000 in damages by ZRP

A Gweru man who was brutally assaulted by police officers during the Covid-19 lockdown while queuing for money at a bank has been awarded over ZWG140,000 in damages by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).

In a ruling issued by Gweru Provincial Magistrate Miriam Banda, the Zimbabwean government, represented by Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe, was ordered to compensate Amos Siska for the pain and suffering he endured in April 2020. The assault occurred at Stanbic Bank in Gweru, where Siska was waiting in line when he was attacked by police officers.

According to Siska's account, he was beaten with truncheons, kicked with booted feet, and struck with open hands all over his body. The attack left him with serious injuries, including a fractured arm.

Siska sought justice through Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, engaging lawyer Reginald Chidawanyika to represent him in the case. The lawsuit was filed against ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe for damages, including compensation for the shock, pain, and suffering he experienced, as well as reimbursement for the medical expenses he incurred during treatment.

In 2022, after a full trial, the court ruled in Siska's favor, but the government failed to honor the judgment promptly, despite multiple requests for compensation.

Following the non-compliance, Siska filed contempt of court proceedings and threatened to have both Kazembe and Matanga arrested for their failure to abide by the court order.

Finally, in accordance with the court's ruling, Kazembe complied and paid ZWG143,368 to Siska as damages, covering the costs of his medical treatment and compensating him for the trauma caused by the assault.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about police brutality and the importance of holding law enforcement accountable for their actions, especially during the challenging periods of the Covid-19 pandemic when public order was tightly enforced.