(Last Updated on December 16, 2020 by GERALD NCUBE)
MUTARE – Resident Magistrate Lazarus Murendo has ordered Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe and Zimbabwe Republic Police boss, Godwin Matanga to pay a sum of ZWL$151 000 compensation to fifteen – year – old boy from Mutare who was assaulted by ZRP Officer Jefinias Mazambani.
Mazambani brutally assaulted the young boy last year while he was investigating a phone theft case in Mutare’s Sakubva suburb.
“We have ensured that justice is done for a 15 year-old Mutare boy, who was assaulted in 2019 by Jefinias Mazambani of Zimbabwe Republic Police by obtaining a court order compelling Mazambani Godwin Matanga of Zimbabwe Republic Police and Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe to pay ZWL$151 000 as compensation,” said ZLHR in a statement
The minor’s parents then engaged Peggy Tavagadza of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights who sued the ZRP for “inhuman and degrading treatment.”
“Mazambani brutally assaulted the minor as he was reportedly investigating theft of a mobile phone handset in Mutare’s high-density suburb of Sakubva. The 15 year-old minor bled profusely as a result of the assault by Mazambani.
“The 15 year-old boy was released from police custody without being charged. Despite being released from police custody without any charges pressed against him, ZRP continued making impromptu visits to the juvenile’s residence and continued assaulting him.
“The minor sustained injuries which include a perforated eardrum, facial swelling and swelling on his knees. The minor’s parents engaged Peggy Tavagadza of ZLHRLawyers, who sued ZRP for inhuman and degrading treatment after he was handcuffed and assaulted by Mazambani.
There has been an increase in the cases filed against ZRP with courts ordering compensation for victims on many occasions.