A Harare model who was dragged to court on false charges of
deliberately infecting her lover’s child with HIV has been awarded $45 000
damages by the High Court after a ruling that the arrest was illegal.
Tafadzwa Mushunje was arrested three years ago after the
false allegations by the child’s mother.
High Court judge Justice Edith Mushore awarded the damages
against Home Affairs minister Obert Mpofu, Zimbabwe Republic Police
commissioner-general Godwin Matanga and the prosecutor-general’s office.
The judge blasted the police officers for abusing their
authority by “believing that it is their right to be above the law” while
conducting unwarranted arrests.
She said the abuse of power was making it difficult for the
public to trust the police.
Justice Mushore said the unwarranted arrest of civilians by
police officers acting “irrationally and excitedly” was also causing great
financial loss to government since victims of such arrests were being awarded
damages “at the expense of the public purse”.
“At this juncture, I need to pose a question: How can the
public trust a police force which uses its uniform to victimise innocent
civilians at the expense of the public purse that is used to pay out awards of
compensation to wronged individuals?
“This is abuse of power by police officers who believe that
it is their right to be above the law,” she said in her ruling.
The judge also castigated the prosecutor-general’s office
for failing to properly consider cases warranting prosecution.
She said in Mushunje’s case, the National Prosecuting
Authority “were derelict in the performance of that duty”.
The judge said the police only acted on a report by the
child’s mother Tracy Sihle Harry without carrying out their own investigations.
“The police arrested (Mushunje) on the basis of a mere
report,” Justice Mushore said.
“They should have appreciated that it was necessary to
examine the toddler and obtain an HIV test before they acted irrationally and
excitedly by proceeding to arrest the plaintiff.
“Oddly, the police ignored the plaintiff’s report about the
defamatory publication on social media.
“They also inexplicably allowed the first defendant to
assault the plaintiff in their presence. The police displayed animosity and
vindictiveness against the plaintiff.”
The judge said she was impressed by Mushunje’s testimony
and by her composure while she was giving evidence in support of her claim.
She ruled that $20 000 was for Mushunje’s wrongful arrest
and $25 000 to be paid by the prosecutor-general’s office for malicious
prosecution.
Police and the prosecutor-general’s office will also pay
interest and costs of the lawsuit. Standard
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