By Kennedy Masiye | I was prompted to pen down this article because of the raging debate involving Joseph Nemaisa, a former Police Detective, who killed three “suspected” armed robbers at his home in Masasa Park, Harare.

The question that most people have is whether Mr. Nemaisa should be arrested or
not. In a Herald online video interview aired December 8, 2021, Mr. Nemaisa stated that he responded to a distress call from his wife informing him that they were under attack by at least five armed robbers. In his interview, he said he drove home, parked his vehicle some few blocks away and proceeded to the home on a solo covert mission to stop the attack. He mentioned that, without warning, he fired the first gun shot through a glass window, that instantly killed one of the
alleged robbers.

He also talked about gun shots being fired in the house. He further tells the journalist that he also shot in the head and killed one of these invaders before the other two fled the scene.

Now, the facts that are not disputed are: (1) Mr. Nemaisa did not bother to notify the police after receiving information of the alleged robber in progress;

(2) Mr. Nemaisa did not bother to call the police, even after personally witnessing people in his house;

(3) Mr. Nemaisa, was not personally facing imminent danger to his
life;

(4) Mr. Nemaisa fired the first shots that killed two people;

(5) By firing gun shots into his home in typical vigilante escapade, he endangered his family; (6) His actions though dangerous, he managed to rescue his family.

What does the Law say?
It can be argued that Mr. Nemaisa acted in a manner that has signs of self-help.

Like in “Rambo” the movie, his actions were that of a vigilante. Him being a former
Police Detective, he should have known better and informed the authority of the
dangerous situation at his home.
Now let’s look at what the law says.

The law describes “unlawful attack” as any
unlawful conduct which endangers a person’s life, bodily integrity, or freedom
(Section 233 of the Criminal Code). The facts show that Mr. Nemaisa’s life was
he himself not in danger prior to him arriving at his home. However, from the facts,
it is apparent that his family’s lives were indeed in danger. Be that as it may, Mr.
Nemaisa can rely on self-defense of his family against an unlawful attack and can
succeed in court if he proves that:
The unlawful attack on his family had commenced or was imminent or he
believed on reasonable grounds that the unlawful attack had commenced or was imminent.

His conduct was necessary to avert the unlawful attack on his family and
they could not otherwise escape from the danger they faced or avert the
attack;
§ That he believed on reasonable grounds that his or her conduct was
necessary to avert the unlawful attack and that his family could not
otherwise escape from or avert the attack.
The criminal code provides additional grounds on the issue of self-defense. Let’s go
deeper! The Criminal Code also describes “unlawful attack on property” as any
unlawful conduct which endangers or infringes a person’s property (Section 256
of the Criminal Code). The facts show the following;
§ There were five armed men in Mr. Nemaisa’s home/property,
unlawfully.
§ An unlawful attack of the property had commenced or was imminent;
§ His conduct was necessary to avert the unlawful attack;
§ The means he used to avert the unlawful attack were reasonable in all the circumstances (armed gun men in his home can justify the means).

Another thing to note is that the courts will take due account of the circumstances in which Mr. Nemaisa found himself including any knowledge or capability he may
have had and any stress or fear that may have been operating on his mind.

Should Mr. Nemaisa be arrested and prosecuted?

YES! The arguments articulated above are defenses to a crime committed. In this instance, it can be Murder or Culpable homicide! Mr. Nemaisa should have his day in court to explain the circumstance he found himself and provide the defenses he has in terms of the law. It’s not up to the Police to exonerate Mr. Nemaisa but they should investigate and compile a docket and bring it before the courts of law.

Zimbabwe is a country with laws that govern the conduct of its citizens and if there is an act with elements of a crime, even though justified, the law should be allowed to apply to its full extent in order to avert anarchy.