Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
A TENDY Three Investment (TTI) marshal, whose assault at the hands of a City Bus employee went viral on social media, is demanding US$40 000 in damages for injuries and humiliation suffered during the incident.
The complainant, Mr Michael Ntini, through his lawyer Dr Tanaka Muganyi of Tanaka Law Chambers, has issued a letter of demand to the alleged attacker, Samuel Scotfield Matanda, who is represented by Mr Kelvin Dhewa of Liberty Mcijo and Associates.
In the letter, Dr Muganyi said his client endured both physical harm and reputational damage following the incident, which was widely circulated online.
“The humiliation worsened when the video was circulated on social media platforms. You negatively affected and violated all his known rights,” reads part of the letter.
“You reduced him in front of his family, you diminished his societal standing and he is now an embarrassed, disgraced man.”
According to the letter, Matanda allegedly committed the offence while on duty at Wipeco Investments trading as City Bus.
Mr Ntini is also demanding a public apology from both Matanda and his employer.
“Our client has instructed us to demand that you and your employer issue a public apology via The Chronicle and through a recorded video to be circulated online,” said Dr Muganyi.
“Your employer must also publish a notice indicating that it does not condone such behaviour for a period of three months.”
The letter further states that failure to comply within seven days will result in legal action, with the damages claim rising to US$50 000.
“Should you ignore this letter, it will be tendered in court as proof of notice and our client will proceed to claim US$50 000,” the letter reads.
Dr Muganyi confirmed he is representing Mr Ntini but declined to divulge further details, citing client confidentiality.
“We were engaged by Mr Ntini to represent him. That is all I can say because the other information is confidential,” he said.
Mr Dhewa also confirmed receipt of the letter, saying a response is being prepared.
“We are preparing a response, which should be ready by tomorrow,” he said.
Meanwhile, Matanda is facing assault charges in connection with the incident and the case is before the court.
A medical practitioner, Dr Charles Chitanga, testified that Mr Ntini sustained visible injuries.
“Upon examining him, I observed loose teeth and swollen gums. The accused could have used a blunt object to assault the complainant,” he told the court.
The matter is before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Mr Themba Chimiso and he remanded Matanda to May 8 for continuation of trial.
The prosecutor Mr Samuel Mpofu told the court that the incident occurred on March 18 shortly after 10AM at the corner of Leopold Takawira Avenue and Fife Street in Bulawayo.
“Mr Ntini had just disembarked from a vehicle when Matanda allegedly confronted him, grabbed him by the collar, slapped him several times, and dragged and pushed him while accusing him of clamping his bus,” said Mr Mpofu.
