THE Zimbabwe Republic Police has paid more than ZiG140 000 to Amos Siska of Gweru, a victim of police brutality, after he was severely assaulted by law enforcement agents four years ago while they were enforcing government-imposed national lockdown regulations.
In April 2020, police details brutally assaulted Siska, then 48, all over the body, while he was in a queue at Stanbic Bank in Gweru.
Siska suffered serious injuries, which included a fractured arm.
He then engaged Reginald Chidawanyika of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) and sued Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage minister Kazembe Kazembe for damages including shock, pain and suffering and to recover medical expenses.
ZLHR reported that after a full trial in April 2022, Gweru provincial magistrate Miriam Banda ordered Matanga and Kazembe to pay compensation to Siska for damages arising from the assault by police officers.
Instead of complying with the court order, Matanga and Kazembe dilly-dallied and Siska's lawyer instituted contempt of court proceedings threatening to cause the arrest of the duo.
“Siska’s long wait ended recently as Kazembe and Matanga eventually complied with the court order and paid ZiG143 368 to Siska as compensation for damages for violation of his rights arising from police brutality,” ZLHR said.
- Harare businesswoman turns heat on police CCU over 'bias'
- Letter to my people: Criminals are hiding in plain sight
- 5 Zim cops off to South Sudan
- Crime tech: Technology can eradicate corruption
