Harare Vendor Awarded US$21 000 After Brutal Beating By City Police
The High Court has ordered Harare Municipal Police to pay a Harare vendor more than US$21 000 (about R403,000) in damages after he was savagely beaten in public during a 2018 raid at First Street Mall.
“They Beat Me With Batons, Fists And Booted Feet”
According to NewsDay, the assault happened on 4 October 2018 when James Chamisa was caught up in a municipal operation to drive out vendors.
Chamisa told the court he was viciously attacked in full view of the public, as officers taunted him about his political choices.
“They assaulted me all over the body with batons, fists, booted feet and palms,” Chamisa testified.
Medical reports tendered in court listed multiple injuries:
- Two fractured ribs on the right side of his rib cage.
- A fractured right forearm.
- A split and bleeding lower lip.
- Abrasions and bruises across his torso, thighs, ankles, and face.
- A vertical laceration pattern on both legs.
- “Non-therapeutic extracorporeal material” lodged in his wounds.
Chamisa also suffered soft tissue tenderness across much of his body.
Beyond the physical injuries, he described the mental toll of the beating: sleepless nights, hallucinations, depression, poor concentration, loss of energy, and difficulty walking.
Judge Condemns “Vicious And Inhuman” Attack
High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube Banda delivered his ruling on 21 October 2025. He condemned the assault in uncompromising language.
“The plaintiff was brutally assaulted using batons, booted feet, etc. No doubt he experienced extreme pain and was hospitalised for long periods,” the judge said.
He added:
“The plaintiff was peaceful and law-abiding, minding his business. It was improper, undesirable and unlawful for municipal police to violate him in such a violent manner. Punitive and exemplary damages will underscore the repugnance, outrageous, frightening and despicable nature of the assault.”
The court dismissed claims that Chamisa had provoked the officers, finding the attack entirely one-sided and unjustified.
Compensation Breakdown
Chamisa had sued for US$31,830 (about R588,000), including medical costs, damages for pain and suffering, and humiliation.
Justice Dube Banda awarded him US$21,830 (about R403,000), broken down as follows:
- US$15 000 (about R277 000) for shock, pain and suffering.
- US$5 000 (about R92 000) for contumelia (humiliation and insult).
- US$1 830 (about R34 000) for medical expenses.
The sum will accrue interest until it is fully paid.
“The plaintiff is clearly entitled to his costs,” Justice Dube Banda ruled.
The judgment, lawyers said, sends a strong message that excessive force by municipal authorities will not be tolerated.
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