High Court judge Christopher Dube Banda awarded Harare vendor James Chamisa $21,830 after municipal police assaulted him on Oct. 4, 2018, on First Street Mall. Officers beat Chamisa with batons and booted his feet and insulted his political choices while clearing vendors from the area. Medical reports showed he suffered two fractured ribs, a broken forearm, lip lacerations, and psychological trauma that caused sleep problems and depression.
Banda ruled the assault was unprovoked and vicious and ordered the city to pay $15,000 for shock and suffering, $5,000 for contumelia, and $1,830 for medical expenses with interest from the judgment date. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights attorney Kudzayi Kadzere represented Chamisa in the case. The judge noted that exemplary damages would underscore the repugnant nature of the attack on the peaceful vendor.
Banda ruled the assault was unprovoked and vicious and ordered the city to pay $15,000 for shock and suffering, $5,000 for contumelia, and $1,830 for medical expenses with interest from the judgment date. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights attorney Kudzayi Kadzere represented Chamisa in the case. The judge noted that exemplary damages would underscore the repugnant nature of the attack on the peaceful vendor.
