Cop Files US$50,000 Lawsuit Against Cops Over Alleged Malicious Arrest

A police officer has filed a US$50,000 lawsuit against a senior colleague and five other officers, alleging malicious arrest and prosecution after he was accused of illegally possessing copper wire.

Sergeant Takesure Buzu, formerly attached to the Homicide Section at Masvingo Central Police Station, is suing Inspector Paul Charlie of the Police Intelligence Unit and five officers who were part of the team that arrested him.

The matter, filed under case number MSVPC 753/26 at the Masvingo Magistrates’ Court, stems from Buzu’s arrest on 17 August 2022 in Rhodene, Masvingo, on allegations of illegal possession of copper.

Charlie reportedly led the operation that resulted in Buzu’s arrest. The officer spent 21 days in remand prison before being acquitted of all charges in 2024.

In his claim, Buzu is seeking US$15,000 for legal and related expenses incurred during the criminal proceedings, as well as US$35,000 in damages for alleged humiliation, loss of liberty and the discomfort he suffered as a result of the arrest.

The other officers cited as defendants are Kudakwashe Chokumarara, Wilfred Garatsa, Talent Tichaona Shambare, Lloyd Hendreck and Frederick Moyo.

Buzu alleges that Inspector Charlie and his team ignored communications between him and his then officer-in-charge, Inspector Taurayi Muzvimwe, when carrying out the arrest.

According to Buzu, the correspondence showed that he had been carrying out an official assignment with the knowledge and approval of his superior.

He further claims that Charlie suppressed a report compiled by Inspector Muzvimwe relating to the incident, which he argues would have supported his version of events.

“… Detective Inspector Muzvimwe made his statement, and they blocked his statement to form part of the state papers, meaning the defendants were doing what they felt would make me suffer for the reasons best known to them up until the trial magistrate invited Detective Inspector Taurai Muzvimwe to come and testify before the court,” reads part of the claim.

Buzu further alleges that the police team arrested two men, Pinuis Chipute and Munashe Pasipanodya, whom he claims were the actual suspects he intended to apprehend in connection with the alleged copper theft, but released them shortly afterwards.

According to Buzu, Inspector Charlie and his team later denied ever arresting Chipute and Pasipanodya.

However, he claims their arrest was recorded in the official charge office diary, contradicting those denials.

He also alleges that the two men were omitted from court documents and were never mentioned in reports submitted to the provincial police command, suggesting that efforts were made to conceal their involvement in the matter.

Buzu is represented by Norman Mugiya of Mugiya Law Chambers.

More: Masvingo Mirror