SA Outfitter wrongfully arrested, now the state will pay...

Hunter wins R50m after unlawful arrest

February 18 2013 at 10:51am
By ZELDA VENTER
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Independent Newspapers
File photo
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痴 company. This is for the prospective loss of income over the next 25 years, as the Americans decided never to make use of Scott痴 services again.
The court earlier found that the police were liable for Scott痴 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痴 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 妬n 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痴 arrest was unlawful.
Judge Vorster said he was satisfied that the cancellation of the business deal was as a direct result of Scott痴 unlawful arrest and that he should thus be compensated.

Wonder if he will hunt again...?

Originally Posted by Jaco Strauss

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..

..and poor old honest tax-payer shits again..!

Agreed, they should make an annual deduction form each and every high ranking government official!!!!

The rule of law may exist in RSA.

One thing that seems strange to me in this story.
Which one of you outfitters wants to pay $66,000 dollars up front for someone to promote his outfit?

Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

The rule of law may exist in RSA.

One thing that seems strange to me in this story.
Which one of you outfitters wants to pay $66,000 dollars up front for someone to promote his outfit?

Depends on how many clients they would promise him.... as far as I know field and stream is a well repcted hunting magazine..... possibly he would be the only outfitter featured not sure but he won.......

Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

The rule of law may exist in RSA.

One thing that seems strange to me in this story.
Which one of you outfitters wants to pay $66,000 dollars up front for someone to promote his outfit?

So you would not be able to sue the government in a case like this for potential loss of income?? I cant believe it as the US invented lawsuits... as well as the Lawyer....

My best always.

Originally Posted by Jaco Strauss

So you would not be able to sue the government in a case like this for potential loss of income?? I cant believe it as the US invented lawsuits... as well as the Lawyer....

My best always.

Canada Man, Canada. You know the big country north of the USA!!

Glad the guy got some recompense for his injury. The judge agreed. Good enough.

There are some wrongful imprisonment cases that have been won in Canada.
Usually some bungled Murder case from years ago before DNA testing.

Throwing someone in jail for a night wrongfully getting that kind of money from anyone let alone the government. Not to likely.

A recent case:
"Ottawa will appeal a court ruling that could see it pay $8.6 million to a Quebec man who spent five years in prison for a robbery that he didn't commit.

A Superior Court judge handed down the record compensation award last month, accusing the federal government of ignoring Rejean Hinse's allegations that he was innocent of violently robbing a couple in Mont-Laurier, Que., in 1961.

News that the attorney general would appeal the decision was greeted with sadness by Hinse, a 73-year-old retired pipe-fitter who now wonders if he'll live to receive the award.

"It's disappointing," Hinse told QMI Agency in an interview. "It completely calls the (lower court's) ruling into question."

Hinse was a 24-year-old labourer when he was arrested after armed men robbed and beat two victims. Hinse was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 1964 and was released on parole in 1969.

He spent decades trying to clear his name, and the Quebec Court of Appeal quashed his conviction in 1994.

The retiree then convinced the Supreme Court to hear his case. In 1997, the high court acquitted him of the crime, ruling the evidence presented at his 1964 trial had been inadequate.

Hinse has already reached a $4.5 million compensation deal with the Quebec government."

Okay.... But isn't Canada in the US?.... ehy!!!! shit...!!!!!

I think it has to do with the fact that he lost all potential buisiness as well..... It kind of sucks for us as we are paying his compensation as DOCMAN mentioned..... lucky bugger!

Well he will most probably have the best sable and buff breeding herd in a couple of years and we set it all up for him.... lol

Best regards,

Jacques

Originally Posted by Jaco Strauss

Okay.... But isn't Canada in the US?.... ehy!!!! shit...!!!!!

Times like this call for a duck and dive emoticon!

Originally Posted by Jaco Strauss

Okay.... But isn't Canada in the US?.... ehy!!!! shit...!!!!!

....

Thanks for the laugh.