Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum: Report on Organised Violence and Torture in 1999 Four of the cases involve complaints of assault by the army and one involves a complaint of assault by the police. The last one concerns a young lady who was assaulted by members of both the army and the police. It should be noted here that in all these cases the injuries complained of were fairly minor. Medical records indicate the injuries sustained as bruises and/or abrasions. Below is a brief summary of each of the settled cases. JG She was assaulted by members of the army together with her mother, brother and sister at midnight and sustained minor injuries. The soldiers were responding to a report of theft and wanted to extract information relating to the location of the stolen property. She was not engaged in any unlawful activities or riots at the time of the beating. A settlement was reached before Garwe J on the basis that judgment was entered for the plaintiff in the sum of $10000.00 together with interest at the prescribed rate from the date of judgment to date of payment in full. The defendants were also ordered to pay costs of suit. FG He is JG’s brother and he was assaulted in similar circumstances as those described above. Judgment was entered for him in the sum of $13000.00 together with interest and costs. GK Members of the army forcibly entered into his bedroom and dragged him outside whereupon they started assaulting him. He sustained bruises and abrasions on his legs and buttocks. By consent the court ordered that judgment be entered for him in the sum of $10000.00 in respect of general damages plus costs. TM She was assaulted by members of both the police and the army whilst at home. She was accused of having taken part in the riots. She sustained bruises and abrasions on her back and buttock. She was awarded $14000.00. GM He was assaulted with clenched fists and booted feet by policemen who were investigating the theft and burning of a police motor vehicle. He sustained wounds and bruises on his head, face, back and feet. The police admitted liability and judgment was entered for him for $10000.00 together with interest and costs. 5.2 Withdrawn/Dismissed Two cases were withdrawn. In the first one it appears summons had been issued against the police by mistake. The woman, AM, had given a statement to the police after the incident that she had been attacked by a riotous mob whilst driving to work. She had lost consciousness as a result of the attack but prior to that she had not seen any policeman nearby. It was agreed that the matter be withdrawn with no order in respect of costs. In the other case summons had been issued out at the instance of WD for pain and suffering endured as a result of an assault by the police. He had not seen a doctor and there was no medical evidence. We tendered wasted costs. The Civil Division of the Attorney-General’s Office will shortly quantify their costs and advise us. One case was dismissed at a Pre-Trial Conference. It is the case of MG. She had complained of assault by members of the Zimbabwe National Army. She married and migrated to England with her husband. We have been advised that she and her husband are permanently resident in England. She was not able to travel from England for her case. 5.3 Trial One trial has been completed and we are waiting for judgment. It is the case of SM who was shot in the stomach by police. He worked as a waiter at a restaurant and had knocked off from work at around 11pm.. -9-