56. In view of the above, the African Commission decides to declare the
Communication Admissible with respect to Article 56 of the African
Charter.
The Merits
Complainant’s Submissions on the Merits
The Complainant recalls that in terms of Article 60 of the African Charter,
AC
HP
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57.
the African Commission “is urged to draw inspirations from international
law”, and that the matter before the African Commission involves the
concept of wrongful death, a concept drawn from English law, especially
Section 1(1) of the Fatal Accidents Act according to which
“[i]f a death is caused by any wrongful act, neglect or default which is
such as would (if death had not ensued) have entitled the person injured
to maintain an action and recover damages in respect thereof, the person
who would have been liable if death had not ensued shall be liable to an
action for damages, notwithstanding the death of the person injured.”
58. The Complainant also notes that the proceedings that would have been
instituted by the deceased if he had not died can be initiated by his
dependants. The Communication further alleges that Zimbabwean law makes
no room for compensation in case of wrongful death, except funeral expenses
reimbursement and loss of support to children or the surviving spouse. There
is no provision for bereavement damages. It is submitted that this lacuna is a
violation of Articles 1 and 4 of the African Charter.
59. The Complainant alleges that the deceased persons referred to in the
Communication, namely Beaven Tatenda Kazingachire, Munyaradzi Never
Chitsenga, Lameck Chemvura and Batanai Hadzisi were unlawfully,
wantonly and willfully shot or beaten to death by the police. The
Complainant notes that other persons who were with the deceased when they
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