Airtime Vendor Sues Minister And Police For US$40 000 Over Unlawful Arrest & Detention

Airtime vendor sues ZRP for US$40 000 after acquittal on forex charges

A Masvingo airtime vendor, who was acquitted after spending a month behind bars on foreign currency charges, has launched a US$40 000 (approx. R740 000) lawsuit against four defendants — the Minister of Home Affairs Kazembe Kazembe, ZRP Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba, Detective Constable Dzingirai, and Detective Constable Mabheka — accusing them of unlawful arrest, wrongful detention, and malicious prosecution.

“I lost my child while locked up for nothing”

The Masvingo Mirror reports that Michael Zumba, a known airtime vendor in the Yeukai Business Centre area of Masvingo, says his life was shattered on 24 April 2024 when police officers from Masvingo Central swooped in and arrested him.

He had just US$20, R20 and some airtime recharge cards on him when he was picked up by Detective Constables Mabheka and Dzingirai. Despite this, Zumba was accused of dealing in foreign currency. He denied the charge.

Zumba told his legal representatives that he was wearing his Econet-branded bib and was openly selling airtime at the time of arrest. The officers, however, accused him of shouting for clients to buy forex — an allegation Zumba denied from day one.

The following day, he was taken to court. Bail was denied, and he was remanded in custody at Mutimurefu Prison for 30 days.

While behind bars, tragedy struck. His two-year-old daughter, Beauty Matipashe Zumba, fell ill and died on 21 May 2024.

Zumba was only allowed out briefly to attend her funeral — still a suspect in a case that was falling apart in court.

Court rubbishes evidence, vendor walks free

The case was brought before Masvingo Magistrate Nomagugu Sibanda, who would later rule that there was no merit to the allegations against Zumba.

Introducing her judgment, Magistrate Sibanda said:

“There was no credible evidence that the accused was dealing in foreign currency. The testimonies presented by the police were inconsistent and unreliable.”

One officer claimed Zumba was calling out to passers-by for foreign exchange deals. Another said he was selling airtime. One said he had an Econet bib, the other said he didn’t.

“There is simply no basis for arrest, let alone prosecution,” the magistrate ruled, before fully acquitting Zumba on 30 May 2024.

Zumba was represented in his criminal trial by Knowledge Mabvure of Chihambakwe Law Chambers.

Lawsuit filed after refusal to compensate

On 6 June 2025, over a year after his arrest and acquittal, Zumba’s civil lawsuit was filed at the Masvingo Magistrates Court through lawyer Martin Mureri of Matutu and Mureri Legal Practitioners.

The legal action targets four individuals:

Hon. Kazembe Kazembe – Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage
Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba – Zimbabwe Republic Police
Detective Constable Mabheka – Masvingo Central Police
Detective Constable Dzingirai – Masvingo Central Police

The application reads:

“Notice was given to the defendants of the plaintiff’s intention to sue in terms of Section 6 of the State Liabilities Act (Chapter 08:14). The defendants have refused or neglected to pay despite lawful demand.”

Zumba is demanding the following damages:

US$15 000 (R277 000) for wrongful arrest
US$10 000 (R185 000) for unlawful detention
US$10 000 (R185 000) for malicious prosecution
US$5 000 (R92 500) for legal defence expenses

“As a result of the defendants’ unlawful conduct, the plaintiff suffered damages amounting to US$40 000,” the lawsuit states.

He is also seeking legal costs on an attorney-client scale.

Seeking justice after personal tragedy

For Zumba, the case is no longer just about money. He says he is pursuing justice not only for himself but for the memory of his daughter, whom he believes would still be alive had he not been imprisoned.

In a statement through his lawyer, he said: