HARARE – Forty-nine victims of police and army brutality during nationwide protests in January over sharp fuel price increases on Monday filed multiple lawsuits totalling $14 million against the government.

The 49, who include two widows who were shot with their husbands, are claiming between $300,000 and $900,000 from Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema as well as the police and military commanders.

Erenia Guwa, from Marondera, is demanding $901,000 after she was shot together with her husband, Solomon Nyaruwa, who did not survive.

“On January 15, 2019, at around 2PM at Dombotombo B Centre in Marondera, a group of uniformed Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers acting in concert with one another killed plaintiff’s husband, Solomon Nyaruwa,” her lawyers said in a court filing.

“The actions of the ZRP officers were unlawful, unjustified and wrongful. The deceased was a general dealer and breadwinner to plaintiff and her two minor children. The deceased owed a legal duty of support to his immediate family during his lifetime.

“As a result of the unlawful killing, plaintiff has suffered grief, emotional distress, incurred funeral expenses and loss of prospective support for herself and her two minor children.”

Guwa is demanding $1,000 funeral expenses, $300,000 for shock, pain and suffering and $600,000 for loss of support.

Patrica Serina Kamuriwo, who works as a cleaner in Harare, is suing Mathema for $700,000 after she was shot together with her husband in Harare. He died from his injuries.

“At all material times, the members of the ZRP involved in the killing of the plaintiff’s husband were acting within the course and scope of their duties. As such the defendant is vicariously liable for their actions,” her lawyers argue.

“By reason of death of plaintiffs’ husband from the wrongful and unlawful shooting, the plaintiff has suffered and will suffer damages in the total sum of $700,000.”

The 49 are being represented by lawyers instructed by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum.