The Waigani National court has ordered the State to pay a victim of police brutality over K144,000 in damages for personal injuries sustained after he was shot with a rifle by two policemen on duty 10 years ago.
Matthew Sarufa was awarded damages valued at K144,718 after two police officers; Jerry Baemaga and Simon Barereba while on duty and in the course of their employment shot Sarufa on Dec 25, 2000 in Popondetta.
He sued the two officers and the State under the Wrongs and Miscellaneous Act in a Civil court proceeding. His claim was on grounds of assault, unlawful arrest, deprivation of liberty, and freedom from inhumane treatment as breaches of his rights guaranteed by the Constitution, totaling a massive K180,000.
Sarufa was in his late 20s when he was shot multiple times at a family residence near the Oro Coffee mill in Popondetta on both his legs. He was shot from the ankle up to his knee caps during a Police Operation on the Christmas Festive period in 2000.
He was later carried to the road where more policemen assaulted him by hitting him with sticks, rubber hose, and rifle butts as well as kicking him all over his body as he lay on the ground.
Sarufa was then wanted by police as a prime suspect of some major crimes committed in the Northern Province however he was never charged with any criminal offense in respect of his arrest and detention.
He spent three months in hospital and was discharged on Mar 5, 2001. During that period, his right leg was amputated due to infection.
In 2004 he underwent further operation at the Port Moresby General Hospital. A review done a year later showed that Sarufa lost 100% efficient use of his left lower limbs and 80% loss of efficient use of his right leg.