KEY POINTS
- Four citizens won a $40,000 compensation case against Zimbabwe’s Defense Minister and Army Commander.
- The military was found liable for torture inflicted during the 2021 COVID-19 lockdown.
- The court awarded compensation for injuries, trauma, and medical expenses.
Four residents of Shurugwi, Zimbabwe, will receive a combined compensation of $40,000 after successfully suing the country’s Defense Minister, Oppah Muchinguri, and Army Commander, Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe, over military abuses they endured during the 2021 COVID-19 lockdown.
The ruling comes after the victims claimed damages for torture inflicted by Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officers during the nationwide lockdown.
Legal Victory for Victims of Military Abuse
The four victims, Grant Zinyuke, Moreblessing Ncube, Batler Jabangwe, and Mavhuto Kachepa, were represented by lawyers Prisca Dube and Jabulani Mhlanga from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
They argued that the soldiers, who were acting under the instructions of the army commander and the defense minister, unlawfully assaulted them during the lockdown, causing severe injuries.
The court heard that Zinyuke sustained injuries, including swelling on his forehead, lacerations, and the loss of several teeth, while Ncube was assaulted while buying airtime to check on his ailing mother. According to New Zimbabwe, Jabangwe, a city council worker, was attacked while performing his duties, and Kachepa suffered severe fractures to his leg after being assaulted by soldiers.
Court Ruling and Compensation
The Shurugwi Magistrates Court ruled that the Defense Minister and Army Commander were vicariously liable for the actions of the soldiers.
The court awarded $10,000 to Zinyuke, $12,000 to Kachepa, and $8,000 each to Jabangwe and Ncube as compensation for the physical injuries, trauma, and medical expenses incurred during their recovery.
The victims’ lawyers successfully argued that the actions of the soldiers amounted to cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment, leaving their clients physically and emotionally scarred.
The presiding magistrate, Patricia Gwetsayi, concluded that the military officers’ actions violated the residents’ human rights and warranted financial compensation.
The ruling is seen as a significant victory for human rights advocates in Zimbabwe. The military had been accused of using excessive force during the COVID-19 lockdown, and this case highlights the accountability of high-ranking officials for the actions of their subordinates.
The court’s decision sends a message that abuses of power will not go unpunished.
