A 15 year-old boy is suing the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) after he
was brutally assaulted by a police officer, who was reportedly
investigating the theft of a mobile phone handset in Mutare’s
high-density suburb of Sakubva.

The 15 year-old boy, who is represented by Peggy Tavagadza of Zimbabwe
Lawyers for Human Rights, recently served ZRP with a notice of
intention to sue for inhuman and degrading treatment after he was
handcuffed and assaulted in March by Jefinias Mazambani, a police
officer, who accused him of stealing a cellphone before detaining him
at Sakubva Police Station in Mutare, Manicaland province.

However, the 15 year-old boy was released from police custody without
being charged.

According to Tavagadza, the 15 year-old juvenile bled profusely as a
result of the assault by Mazambani.

Despite being released from police custody without any charges pressed
against him, Tavagadza said some ZRP officers continued making
impromptu visits to the juvenile’s residence and continued assaulting
him.

Tavagadza will soon issue summons against ZRP, where she will indicate
the total amount of damages suffered by the 15 year-old boy as a
result of the ill-treatment by the law enforcement agents