Opposition activist Gilbert Mbwende has revealed that his family is living in fear after their Highfields home was petrol bombed last week by unknown suspects.
Mbwende’s house was bombed ahead of a press conference by groups opposing Zanu PF's controversial agenda to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's rule from 2028 to 2030.
On the same night, the offices of Sapes Trust which is led by Ibbo Mandaza and which was also scheduled to host the presser, was also attacked.
Mbwende, a member of the Constitutional Defence Forum, told The Standard that he was not home during the attack, but his mother and sister were assaulted by the assailants.
“My mother and sister were assaulted as the assailants asked for my whereabouts,” he said.
“They were severely assaulted, and I had to take them to Parirenyatwa Hospital.
“They are now recovering."
“My mother is traumatised and is living in fear because she has never seen something like this.
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“My sister is also greatly affected."
He has since reported the matter to Machipisa Police Station.
Observers have said the petrol bombing incidents are a coordinated move to intimidate voices critical of the 2030 agenda.
The bombing of the Sapes Trust seminar room involved unidentified assailants throwing petrol bombs.
The organisation reported that its night guard was abducted and the gate locked with new keys to hinder firefighting efforts.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) strongly condemned the attacks.
In a statement, the group described them as a "dangerous escalation of politically motivated violence, aimed at intimidating citizens and suppressing legitimate public discourse."
“This latest attack is a direct manifestation of the environment of fear and repression that many Zimbabweans face daily,” ZimRights said.
“The incidents suggest a coordinated effort to intimidate those speaking out about constitutional matters and to undermine the very foundation of democratic engagement in Zimbabwe."
The human rights organisation has called for a thorough and impartial investigation into both attacks and urged the state to guarantee the safety of civil society groups, activists, and opposition figures.
The Zimbabwe Council of Churches also condemned the terror attacks saying this marked a ‘deeply troubling development in our country and are an attack on peace, human dignity, and civil liberties which include freedom of assembly, speech and association.’
“Violence in any form, whether physical, verbal, or structural, undermines the peace we seek to build as a nation and erodes the trust necessary for democratic engagement,” the ZCC said, and called for dialogue to solve the country’s deep-seated crises.
“Acts of intimidation and destruction only deepen divisions and threaten the vision of a peaceful and united Zimbabwe that we all want,” the ZCC said.
“Through our ongoing work in national dialogue, just peace and social cohesion, the ZCC continues to create inclusive spaces where political, civic, traditional, and faith leaders can meet, listen, and seek common ground for the healing and transformation of our country.”
