In a landmark ruling, the High Court has directed the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to compensate Patricia Dengezi, a Harare mother, with US$42,000 following the tragic loss of her one-year-old son in a 2017 traffic incident. Justice Regis Dembure found that the police’s conduct during a frantic pursuit of illegal taxi operators created hazardous conditions that directly contributed to the fatal accident.

The heartbreaking incident occurred when a commuter omnibus, attempting to evade police spike strips, lost control and veered onto the pavement where Patricia was feeding her child. The vehicle struck the toddler, resulting in his untimely death. The case named the Police Commissioner General, the Home Affairs Minister, and the driver of the omnibus as defendants.

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