Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri has agreed to pay US$25 000 compensation to a victim of brutal army shootings, who sustained eye injuries during anti-government protests in August 2018.
Trade unionist Zakeo Mutimutema was caught in the crossfire and partially lost his eyesight after some glass particles got into his eyes when soldiers who were pursuing anti-government protesters shot into a building housing his offices at Gorlon House in central Harare.
The protesters were voicing their concern over alleged electoral malpractices, which included delays in releasing the presidential election results.
Following the incident, Mutimutema who then was working for the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions sued Defence minister Muchinguri, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe, and the police for damages.
In his claim for compensation, Mutimutema said he underwent three unsuccessful eye surgeries to remove fine glass particles that pierced his eyes.
Mutimutema, who was represented by Obey Shava of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, had initially been awarded ZWL$295 000 as damages in November 2020 as damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses and general damages, but the government reneged on paying until the amount was eroded by inflation.
The labour law specialist had to amend his summons and file a fresh application arguing that the compensation award had been significantly eroded by inflation.
On Tuesday this week, Muchinguri consented to the fresh demands and agreed to pay the labour law specialist US$25 000 as compensation for damages for current and future medical expenses, pain and suffering and general damages.
A Commission of Inquiry chaired by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe to probe the post-July 2018 election violence that left at least six people shot,recommended that government should compensate all the victims of the shootings and prosecute all perpetrators.
However, no known victims or families have been compensated and there has been no prosecution of perpetrators.
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