Pretoria - The unlawful arrest by police of a professional hunter, and the damage his business suffered as a result, will cost the taxpayer nearly R50 million, after the Pretoria High Court declared the police liable for his damages.
Jaco Scott is set to receive R75 000 in damages for unlawful arrest and detention, as well as R577 610 he had paid to an American entity to recruit hunters from the US.
Acting Judge Louis Vorster further ordered the police to pay R49.2m to Scott’s company. This is for the prospective loss of income over the next 25 years, as the Americans decided never to make use of Scott’s services again.
The court earlier found that the police were liable for Scott’s damages, as his arrest was unlawful.
The claim followed the events of June 10, 2004, when Scott was arrested for no reason and detained in the police cells in Musina.
Scott’s company owned a farm in Musina where hunting parties were accommodated and hunts arranged.
Scott earlier went to America and entered into an agreement with a business called Field and Stream that would arrange hunting expeditions. He paid them R577 610 to advertise and promote his services.
Following this agreement, an American hunting party came to South Africa on June 10, 2004.
Scott was at a local Spur the day the guests arrived. He was about to leave when he saw an aggressive crowd in the parking lot. He was hit over the head and broke one front tooth, and his lip was “in tatters”.
Police arrested him and locked him up.
He was released the next day without any charges being brought against him. Scott found the disgruntled hunters at the farm, who refused to do further business with him. They said it was their policy not to be associated in any way with alleged or actual criminals - even if Scott’s arrest was unlawful.
Judge Vorster said he was satisfied that the cancellation of the business deal was as a direct result of Scott’s unlawful arrest and that he should thus be compensated.
Pretoria News