Johannesburg - A complainant is claiming almost R2 million in damages for a wrongful arrest from Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa, a law firm representing him said on Friday.
In March 2011, officers from the Barrage police station in Vanderbijlpark arrested Shane Smith without a warrant, law firm Adams & Adams said in a statement.
“He was mistaken for his twin brother, whilst looking after his brother's house, who was away for the weekend.”
Mthethwa's acting spokesman David Barritt said Mthethwa was aware of the matter.
“A court has made a decision that Mr Smith's case has merit and the next step is for Mr Smith to prove that what he is claiming is fair.”
The firm said the High Court in Pretoria ordered that Smith was entitled to recover 100 percent of his proven or agreed damages from the minister.
“The 32-year-old Alberton receiving clerk is claiming R1 970 000 from the minister of police for inter alia past and future medical, psychiatric, psychological and related treatment, past and future loss of earnings or earning capacity and general damages for pain and suffering, loss of amenities of life, trauma, etc,” the firm said.
Sapa