Francistown High court Judge Mpaphi Phumaphi ruled that Robert Muzila's image was tarnished and that he suffered contumelia as a result of the 2003 false prosecution on allegations of stock-theft.He said Muzila was entitled to P150,000 for contumelia, deprivation of freedom and discomfort and P45,000 for legal fees. Justice Phumaphi criticised the police for not investigating the case thoroughly and fairly before prosecuting Muzila.
He averred that, "The prosecution was intentional." He further said it appeared that once the investigating officer, by the name Patlakwe, established that Muzila's brand was on Ronald Sibanda's ox, he ignored information indicating that the brand was on the animal innocently and he proceeded to charge Muzila. According to the judge, there was no reasonable and probable cause to prosecute without first pursuing other leads suggesting that there was a mistake of fact. Phumaphi stated that even though Muzila was acquitted on this charge of stock-theft by the magistrate court, the prosecution had caused him agony and anxiety as a public leader.
