Trigger happy cops at it again
Bystander hit as police miss P50 theft suspect Shot young man in ICU Family demands P25 million compensation
Despite the growing outcry against police brutality, the men in blue continue to carry out business as usual. The police in Francistown have been accused of carrying a gun to attend a P50 theft and ended up shooting an innocent bystander. Following that, Modimo & Associates have issued a statutory notice to institute proceedings against the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police demanding payment of P25 million for the shooting of their client, Innocent Kuyenda (21).
According to the notice authored by attorney Dr Tshepang Makwati on December 16, 2023, Kuyenda was with his friends at Mmanaka Liquor Bars in Francistown when police officers from Central Police Station, one Inspector Batisani Mangure and a Special Constable arrived on the scene responding to a report about an alleged theft involving a single P50 note allegedly stolen by a youth within the vicinity of the liquor restaurants.
“When the police officers arrived at the scene, the Special Constable gripped the suspect by the wrist to lead him to the police vehicle while the trigger-happy police officer lurked around a corner adjacent to the tuckshops. A small group of juveniles voiced their protest about the arrest of the suspect shouting that he did not do anything wrong. Despite there being no imminent threat, the overzealous police officer fired a warning shot whereupon the Special Constable’s grip loosened allowing the suspect to escape,” he wrote.
As the suspect ran away, Makwati states that the officer exhibited extremely poor weapon handling skills, recklessly firing a shot from the pistol which missed its target. “In all this, he was without due regard for the safety of the bystanders but fired a direct shot at the person they had sought to arrest. The shot hit our client who was some distance away from the scene just above the right breast area and exited just under the left scapula, causing serious injuries to our client’s lungs and the spinal cord in the process,” he stated.
According to Makwati, Kuyenda was admitted to Nyangabwe Referral Hospital where the bullet was removed and handed over to Inspector Batisani and Inspector Skinner by Dr Anwar in the presence of a certain Moyo.
Makwati further submits that their client has since undergone several surgical operations and suffers paralysis of the lower body. He states that it is not in question that the course of their client’s life has taken a drastic turn due to the actions of an unreasonable police officer who failed to take rational steps to deal with a harmless situation.
“The harm suffered by our client includes loss of earnings, psychological trauma, disfigurement, pain and suffering and costs for future medical expenses. We are instructed to demand, as we hereby do, an amount of P25 million, being the reasonable and fair amount in general and special damages suffered by our client,” he stated.
Meanwhile, in a brief interview, devastated Kuyanda’s mother Otsile, decried that throughout the ordeal, the police are dragging their feet in giving her answers and assisting her. “I am saddend by the treatment I have been receiving. From concealing information from me to not assisting me. My son is in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Bokamoso Private Hospital but they cannot even assist me with accommodation, meals and transport,” she said.
Makwati said they intend to write to the police and eventually institute urgent proceedings to have the olice help Otsile to be able to take care and be able to check on her hospitalised son.