Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri have slapped Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe and police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga with a Z$15 million lawsuit for circulating their nude pictures last year.
Mamombe, the Harare West MP (MDC-A) and Cecilia Chimbiri, an MDC-A youth leader, said they endured embarrassment after their nude pictures went viral on social media platforms.
Mamombe said she suffered damages in the sum of $10 million, comprising $3 million contumelia, and $7 million injuria while Chimbiri is claiming $5 million.
The pictures were reportedly captured by State security agents at Park Town Hospital in Harare, where Mamombe, Chimbiri and another MDC-A youth leader Netsai Marova were admitted.
The trio was receiving treatment following an alleged abduction and torture by suspected State agents.
In their separate applications filed by their lawyers, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) on Monday, Mamombe and Chimbiri said Chief Superintendent Philip had assured them that the pictures would not be circulated but were shocked to see the photos splashed all over social media. Part of the summons by the ZLHR read:
As such, on the evening of May 15, 2020, the first defendant in the company of Dr Nyamakure arrived in the ward where the plaintiff was receiving medical assistance.
The first defendant identified herself as being from the ZRP Forensic Department and proceeded to take photographs of the plaintiff’s body purportedly as part of the evidence.
Further, she captured pictures of the plaintiff and her colleagues who were hospitalised together with her, namely Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri.
… This exercise was carried out solely by the first defendant and no other person was granted permission by the plaintiff to do so.
The case is yet to be heard.