HARARE – A young woman widowed after her husband was shot and killed by a Chitungwiza police officer during protests in January has sued for $550,000.
In papers filed at the High Court, Varaidzo Chiyanike is suing the police officer who fired the fatal shot, Rachid Siri, Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga and Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema.
Tinashe Kelvin Choto was shot in the head and died instantly outside Makoni Police Station when Zimbabweans embarked on nationwide protests against fuel price increases decreed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Chiyanike is demanding $510,000 damages for loss of support for her and her daughter until she attains 18 years.
She is also claiming $20,000 for nervous shock as a result of trauma caused by circumstances of her husband’s death.
Choto’s father, Julius, also joined in the action and wants $20,000 for the trauma he is going through after losing his son.
The two are being represented by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
In the claim, the lawyers say after Choto was shot, his father began looking for him and was referred to Chitungwiza General Hospital mortuary where he identified his body. He said this caused him great distress.
After a post-mortem was conducted on Choto’s remains, his father was denied a copy of the report by Makoni police who treated with hostility that he feared for his life and safety, the court heard.
The report was eventually released on May 7 after the High Court, petitioned by human rights lawyers, issued an order for that relief.
“Prior to his death, Choto, who was a successful footballer earning US$250 a month and had been offered a job with South Africa’s Bloemfontein Celtics which would have increased his earning capacity. The first plaintiff and her daughter have lost his support,” reads the summons.
Chiyanike and Choto claimed in the summons that the police chiefs were to be held liable because Siri acted according to their instructions.
The case is pending.
