HARARE – A deaf and dumb man shot by soldiers during opposition riots on August 1 last year is now suing the government, demanding US$23,000 compensation.
Andy Manyeruke is seeking compensation for the pain and suffering he endured and is still enduring as a result of the “wrongful shooting.”
In papers filed at the High Court this week, he cited Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri as the respondent.
A projectile is still stuck in his right shoulder and he requires surgery, but he is too poor to foot the bill, his lawyers said.
“On August 1, 2018, at about 4PM and at the corner of Nelson Mandela Avenue and Leopold Takawira Street, the plaintiff, who was peaceably going about his business saw a sudden panic among the people around him and a rush of people who were running towards his direction,” his lawyers from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum NGO Forum said in a court filing.
“The plaintiff then saw members of the ZNA (Zimbabwe National Army), whose further and better particulars are unknown to him, wielding rifles coming his way and in hot pursuit of the people who were running. Upon attempting to run away in fear of being in crossfire, the plaintiff realised at that instant that he had been shot on his right shoulder.
“The plaintiff could not hear gunshots as he is deaf and dumb but avers that the shooting was done unlawfully and wrongfully by the members of the ZNA who opened and fired live bullets at civilians in a crowded and busy CBD of Harare in order to disperse a small group of people who were demonstrating,” said Manyeruke’s lawyers.
He is demanding compensation for past and future medical expenses and for pain, suffering, discomfort, disfigurement and loss of amenities of life.
At least six people were killed and 35 others suffered gunshot wounds after soldiers fired indiscriminately on opposition protesters demanding the release of election results, catching some innocent victims.
