Prison officers' property auctioned to pay damage...

Prison officers' property auctioned to pay damages for assault of passersby

From Zimbabwe Prisons to correctional service | The Chronicle

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services officials, Michale Nduna and Florence Chihambakwe lost properties after being sued for damages amounting to US$5 250 by a Harare resident Alex Tendai Gomedza.

The two were ordered to pay Gomedza US$2 500 for damages for humiliation, embarrassment, an affront to dignity, US$2 500 for pain and suffering and US$250 for medical expenses which he incurred while being treated.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said in court the ZPCS officers accused Gombedza and his friend Evidence Kutsawa of trespassing before assaulting them.

“Gombedza and Kutsawa were walking through the Chikurubi Prison garden in Harare in January 2022 when they were assaulted.

“After the assault, an aggrieved Gombedza engaged ZLHR’s Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Paida Saurombe who in August 2022 sued Nduna and Chihambakwe for damages amounting to US$5 250.

“The money was for the physical attack and ill-treatment, for pain and suffering, humiliation, an affront to dignity and embarrassment,” ZLHR said.

Gombedza also mentioned Justice and Legal Affairs minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi and ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu among the respondents.

“During the trial at Harare Civil Magistrates Court, Chinopfukutwa and Saurombe said Nduna and Chihambakwe instructed Gombedza and Kutsawa to lie down on the ground before assaulting them on their feet using wooden pick handles.

“The officers instructed some prisoners whom they were supervising to also assault the duo. As a result, Gombedza and Kutsawa sustained severe injuries and had to seek medical attention.

“Gombedza sustained injuries on his legs and feet which warranted admission to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospital for treatment.

“He said he suffered excruciating pain in his feet, which he still feels to date.

“According to medical reports, Gombedza suffered a 3% residual disability as a result of the injuries he sustained from the assault,” Chinopfukutwa and Saurombe said.

Now, the ZPCS officers have lost some personal property, which was attached and removed by the Messenger of Court on Friday 23 March 2023 and will be auctioned to recover the judgment debt owed to Gombedza.

Among the household property which Nduna lost include a set of sofas, a deep freezer, a television set, a wardrobe & a printer. Chihambakwe lost a set of sofas, a television set and a room divider.