Man forced to ‘eat’ mop sues state

A PEASANT farmer who was allegedly forced to eat a dirty mop used for cleaning the toilet at Kamwala Remand Prison has sued the State demanding damages for malicious prosecution amounting to K250, 000.

Mr William Nyirenda is also seeking damages for defamation of character and loss of his two-year-old son, two cattle and seven pigs.

Mr Nyirenda wants the Lusaka High Court to order the State to pay him special and exemplary damages for the pain and suffering he allegedly suffered while in custody and other relief deemed fit.

He has cited the Attorney General as the first respondent in the matter as well as Rodney Chikole and Mike Muleya, residents of Kabambi Village in Chiombo as second and third respondents respectively.

Mr Nyirenda said that on October 13, 2016, he was arrested and charged with the offence of stock theft arising from false allegations by Mr Chikole and Mr Muleya and that he spent four days at West Wood police and three days at Central police.

He only spent a day at Kamwala Remand Prison.

He stated that while in custody, he was subjected to untold beatings and was forced to eat a mop used to clean the toilet by inmates and he allegedly developed some chest pains which continued even after being released.

Mr Nyirenda alleged that during the said period he suffered great loss as he lost his child due to lack of fatherly care as he was the sole bread winner.

He also claims that he lost two cattle valued at K3, 500 each and seven pigs valued at K2, 500 each and also failed to farm for the season 2016'-2017 and as a result failed to provide for the family which was now wallowing in poverty. Mr Nyirenda stated that after undergoing unlawful prosecution he was found not guilty and was subsequently acquitted of the offence on July 22, 2020.

He stated that his name has been tarnished in the community as he was now considered as a criminal and he wants to be compensated for the alleged malicious prosecution.