HARARE – A street hawker was left needing reconstructive surgery on his right leg after being shot by police in Chitungwiza on Sunday.
Tinashe Zharare, who was selling groceries from his vehicle at Jambanja Unit M in Seke, was shot after jumping into his vehicle and driving off when officers from Chitungwiza Police Station arrived on one of their many raids on informal traders.
Rights group the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) said a police officer “fired directly at the vehicle,” a Toyota Vitz.
“The bullet not only damaged the driver’s door but it went through the vehicle resulting in Zharare sustaining serious injuries on his right leg,” the ZPP said in a statement on Monday.
“The police officers immediately rushed the injured Zharare to the hospital, dropped him off there, and vanished without leaving any documentation.”
Doctors at Chitungwiza Hospital reportedly recommended that Zharare’s leg should be amputated, but a doctor from a private hospital in Harare said reconstructive surgery can be done and he was subsequently transferred to a private clinic.
“The acts by the police of firing live ammunition were unnecessary and unconstitutional. The constitution is clear on the procedures to be taken when making an arrest. Cases of police firing live bullets at unarmed civilians are on the rise, and it is worrying,” the ZPP added.
Zharare’s family has appealed for assistance to pay his US$2,800 bill for his surgery. You can contact Cendric Zharare on +263 71 399 9540 for more information
