-as Green Fuel, guards sued US$110k for assault
Martin Muleya
Eleven school children from Katanga Secondary School, Chipinge, are suing Green Fuel Private Limited, an ethanol-producing company and three of its security guards for US$110 000 in damages.
The minors, aged between 13 and 17 years were allegedly assaulted by the guards Makina Ngwenya, Benjamin Dube and Munorwei Gomondera, who accused them of stealing sugarcane from the company’s fields in Chisumbanje.
The assault which occurred early this year and went viral as they were captured on camera, involved the children being ordered to lie down and flogged with switches resulting in injuries, swollen backsides and difficulty in walking. The incident was captured on video by one of the guards and circulated widely on social media, causing further distress and humiliation to the victims.
The minors’ lawyers Peggy Tavazadza and Tatenda Sigauke from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) argued that the assault was grievous and psychologically traumatizing, given that the students’ young ages and the viral spread of the videos. The lawyers claim the children experienced shock, pain, physical and psychological trauma, emotional distress and a violation of their dignity.
In their application at Chipinge magistrates court on August 22, the lawyers are demanding compensation of US$110 000. 00 in total, with each student entitled to US$10 000. 00 for damages related to pain, suffering, shock, trauma and violation of dignity.
Green Fuel is required to issue a public apology to the students, their families and the Chisumbanje community, denouncing the guards’ actions as unacceptable and community to prevent similar incidents in future.
The lawyers prayed that the apology be published in local Manicaland newspapers and be displayed on Green Fuel’s social media platforms and notice boards for 14 consecutive days.
