A 25-year-old man from Mabuthweni township in Bulawayo, reportedly succumbed to injuries he sustained after he was allegedly assaulted by a police officer who was on patrol duty on the first day of the nationwide lockdown.
The deceased has been identified as Levison Ncube and was employed as a commuter omnibus driver.
Narrating the ordeal to CITE, the deceased`s sister, Ornety Ncube, said his brother was assaulted by a police officer while accompanying his girlfriend home.
“I received a call in the morning of March, 31, that my brother was assaulted by a police officer the previous night, all we know is that my brother was slapped by a police officer outside his gate as he was accompanying his girlfriend around 7 pm,” said Ncube.
“It is said that when police officers saw them, they approached him and asked for his name, while he was trying to respond they slapped him and he immediately collapsed. An ambulance was called to the scene and he was taken to Mpilo Hospital. He was discharged from hospital on the 3rd of April and he passed away on April, 7.”
Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube said he was not in a position to comment and referred this publication to the national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
Contacted for a comment, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he is not aware of the case.
“I am not aware of the case, let me find out from Bulawayo,” said Nyathi.
Nosimilo Chanaiwa of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said the family was within their rights to claim for damages against the police.
“It is unfortunate that a life has been lost during a lockdown that was aimed at preserving lives. The conduct of the police is unacceptable, illegal and unconstitutional,” she said
“It flies against the regulations of the lockdown. It is criminal in terms of the Criminal Code, the perpetrators should be investigated and prosecuted.
“Constitutional rights to life and not to be tortured have been violated, and these are rights which cannot be limited. The family of the deceased deserve justice and should pursue a claim of damages against the police.”
