CHIWESHE WOMAN SUES POLICE

A CHIWESHE woman whose husband died in detention at a Bindura Police Station has slapped police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga with a $8,5 million law suit for lack of compassion and support.

The deceased Eugene Marangwanda was allegedly picked by police officers from his Chiweshe home last year in September in connection with a murder case.

However, after further detention was granted by a Bindura magistrate, Marangwanda died in police custody.

According to the summons, occasions surrounding Marangwanda’s death prompted the family led by the widow Cathrine Wazvaremhaka, Faith Maranganda, Nokutenda Marangwanda and Nyasha Marangwanda to probe into the circumstances.

The family claim the police officers involved Detective Constable Hukurawa and Detective Chief Inspector Mapepeta negligently caused their loved one’s death after repeated assault.

The family claims the deceased’s cause of death was ruled as serious injuries and multiple stress after a post mortem.

“The deceased was taken from his home in Chiweshe to Bindura Central Police Station where he was detained.

“He was later taken to Bindura Magistrate’s Court on the 19th of September where police sought a warrant for his further detention. The warrant was granted and the deceased was taken back to Bindura Police Station.

“On the 21st of September, Dzidzo Marangwanda, brother to the deceased received a call from Assistant Inspector Ganye who advised him that his brother had collapsed and died in police custody the previous day,” reads the summons.

The widow also accused the police officers of inflicting bodily harm leading to her husband’s death.

“The family only managed to gain the post mortem results on or about the 2nd of December, 2020.

“According to the post mortem results the deceased’s shirt was stained with blood, there were abrasions all over the deceased’s body and other serious injuries which were noted on the body.

“The post mortem concluded that the cause of death was due to severe stress due to multiple body trauma, cardio respiratory failure and gento respiratory insufficiency,” reads the summons.

She further claims that the officers’ conduct contributed to her husband’s death. “The conduct of the police officers including detective constable Hukurawa and detective chief inspector Mapepeta negligently caused the death of the late Eugene Maranganda in that the ZRP officers assaulted the deceased when it was reasonably foreseeable that death would eventuate from the assaults.

“In any event and alternatively, the ZRP breached their duty of care to the deceased by failing to provide him with reasonable access to health facilities for treatment to his injuries and generally failing to guard against harm to suspects under their custody,” said the woman.

She added; “At the time of the deceased’s death, he was the breadwinner for his family and was solely responsible for their upkeep and support.

Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe and Officer in Charger CID Bindura have also been cited as respondents.

For being widowed, Wazvaremhaka is demanding $3 million as damages whilst Faith, Nokutenda and Nyasha are also claiming $1, 5 million, $2 million and $2 million respectively.

The matter is pending.

Anesu Chirenje appeared for the State