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News / NationalActivist’s home petrol-bombed over ED2030 debateby Staff reporter42 mins ago |84ViewsOpposition activist Gilbert Mbwende says his family is living in fear after their Highfields home was petrol-bombed last week by unidentified assailants, in what observers describe as a politically motivated attack linked to growing tensions over efforts to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule to 2030.The attack occurred ahead of a scheduled press conference by civic and opposition groups under the Constitutional Defence Forum, which has publicly opposed Zanu-PF’s proposed campaign to push Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond the constitutionally mandated 2028 limit.On the same night, the Sapes Trust offices in Harare, led by academic Dr Ibbo Mandaza, which was also due to host the same event, were similarly petrol-bombed.Mbwende, a prominent member of the Constitutional Defence Forum, said he was not home when the assailants struck but that his mother and sister were assaulted during the attack.”My mother and sister were assaulted as the assailants asked for my whereabouts,” Mbwende told The Standard.”They were severely assaulted, and I had to take them to Parirenyatwa Hospital.
They are now recovering. My mother is traumatised and living in fear because she has never seen something like this.
My sister is also greatly affected.”He said the incident had been reported to Machipisa Police Station, but no arrests had been made by the time of publication.Sources said the Sapes Trust bombing followed a similar pattern, with unidentified suspects throwing petrol bombs into the seminar room before abducting the night guard and locking the premises’ gate with new padlocks to prevent emergency responders from entering.Observers believe the two attacks were part of a coordinated effort to intimidate activists and civil society groups critical of the so-called “ED2030” campaign.The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) condemned the attacks, describing them as a “dangerous escalation of politically motivated violence” aimed at silencing dissent.”This latest attack is a direct manifestation of the environment of fear and repression that many Zimbabweans face daily,” ZimRights said in a statement.”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 organisation called for a thorough and impartial investigation into both incidents and urged the state to guarantee the safety of civil society groups, activists, and opposition figures.The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) also condemned the bombings, calling them “a deeply troubling development” and an assault on peace, human dignity, and civil liberties, including 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.The church body urged dialogue and reconciliation to resolve the country’s deepening political crisis.”Acts of intimidation and destruction only deepen divisions and threaten the vision of a peaceful and united Zimbabwe that we all want.
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.”The attacks come at a time of heightened political tension in Zimbabwe, with civic groups and opposition movements accusing state-aligned actors of orchestrating intimidation campaigns to silence criticism of the proposed constitutional term extension.No official comment had been issued by the Zimbabwe Republic Police at the time of going to press.Source – The StandardMore on:#Magaya,#Arrested,#RapeJoin the discussionLoading comments…Enable JavaScript to view comments.Live UpdatesGet the Daily DigestSubscribeSubscribe to the Daily DigestMust ReadMan rapes 93-year-old grandmother37 mins ago |83 ViewsMatebeleland South records drop in maternal deaths38 mins ago |25 ViewsGorimbo’s brave stand ends in painful decision loss39 mins ago |90 Views1 killed, 17 injured in Harare crash40 mins ago |76 ViewsSchool confiscates learners’ bags over unpaid fees41 mins ago |56 ViewsZanu-PF divisions over Mnangagwa term extension41 mins ago |105 ViewsWhy Walter Magaya was arrested43 mins ago |109 ViewsEx-soldier in land grabbing storm44 mins ago |48 ViewsMan rapes Grade 7 cousin44 mins ago |46 ViewsScottland FC buys 2025 PSL championship title45 mins ago |61 ViewsResidents demand action against machete gangs45 mins ago |49 ViewsPolice dismiss fake statement on Chivayo46 mins ago |48 ViewsPolice bust cybercrime trio47 mins ago |34 ViewsPolitics behind Zimbabwe’s celebrity car bonanza47 mins ago |45 ViewsZanu-PF, CCC MPs face recall over ED203048 mins ago |56 ViewsHwange to repossess stands to recover US$6m49 mins ago |30 ViewsCIO boss arrested for dealing cocaine49 mins ago |78 ViewsMandaza demands answers over silence on SAPES Trust bombing50 mins ago |28 ViewsHarare official under fire over workshops invite51 mins ago |33 ViewsMusic should inspire, not corrupt51 mins ago |27 ViewsZimbabwe inflation plummets52 mins ago |39 ViewsZimbabwe breaks wheat production record53 mins ago |29 ViewsChimombe, Mpofu sentencing postponed54 mins ago |45 ViewsZimbabwe steps up preps for 2025/26 summer cropping season55 mins ago |25 ViewsCorruption blights student nurses recruitment55 mins ago |33 ViewsZimbabwe scraps 11 licence requirements56 mins ago |47 ViewsZimbabwe intensifies spying on citizens57 mins ago |43 ViewsDuo jailed for culpable homicide58 mins ago |41 ViewsSoldier killed in love triangle stabbing59 mins ago |37 ViewsToday’s Most ReadBREAKING: Prophet alter Magaya Arrested on Charges of Rape and Fraud01 Nov 2025 at 10:48hrs |3271 ViewsChiwenga’s wife catching strays31 Oct 2025 at 09:09hrs |3983 ViewsWoman dies after falling into concealed pit while relieving herself01 Nov 2025 at 08:38hrs |2141 Views’Mnangagwa is panicking’31 Oct 2025 at 09:12hrs |3391 ViewsSolusi University student caught with stolen laptops in satchel01 Nov 2025 at 08:36hrs |1415 Views’Eat my wife, I kill myself’31 Oct 2025 at 09:03hrs |2708 ViewsSupreme Court nullifies Welshman Ncube AI-generated legal submissions31 Oct 2025 at 10:10hrs |1630 ViewsAssemblies of God loses court battle, slapped with punitive costs01 Nov 2025 at 08:17hrs |1085 ViewsWhy Walter Magaya was arrested43 mins ago |109 ViewsCivil servants will this year receive two bonuses1 hr ago |108 ViewsRead All Our Latest News
News / NationalActivist’s home petrol-bombed over ED2030 debateby Staff reporter42 mins ago |84ViewsOpposition activist Gilbert Mbwende says his family is living in fear after their Highfields home was petrol-bombed last week by unidentified assailants, in what observers describe as a politically motivated attack linked to growing tensions over efforts to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule to 2030.The attack occurred ahead of a scheduled press conference by civic and opposition groups under the Constitutional Defence Forum, which has publicly opposed Zanu-PF’s proposed campaign to push Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond the constitutionally mandated 2028 limit.On the same night, the Sapes Trust offices in Harare, led by academic Dr Ibbo Mandaza, which was also due to host the same event, were similarly petrol-bombed.Mbwende, a prominent member of the Constitutional Defence Forum, said he was not home when the assailants struck but that his mother and sister were assaulted during the attack.”My mother and sister were assaulted as the assailants asked for my whereabouts,” Mbwende told The Standard.”They were severely assaulted, and I had to take them to Parirenyatwa Hospital.
They are now recovering. My mother is traumatised and living in fear because she has never seen something like this.
My sister is also greatly affected.”He said the incident had been reported to Machipisa Police Station, but no arrests had been made by the time of publication.Sources said the Sapes Trust bombing followed a similar pattern, with unidentified suspects throwing petrol bombs into the seminar room before abducting the night guard and locking the premises’ gate with new padlocks to prevent emergency responders from entering.Observers believe the two attacks were part of a coordinated effort to intimidate activists and civil society groups critical of the so-called “ED2030” campaign.The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) condemned the attacks, describing them as a “dangerous escalation of politically motivated violence” aimed at silencing dissent.”This latest attack is a direct manifestation of the environment of fear and repression that many Zimbabweans face daily,” ZimRights said in a statement.”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 organisation called for a thorough and impartial investigation into both incidents and urged the state to guarantee the safety of civil society groups, activists, and opposition figures.The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) also condemned the bombings, calling them “a deeply troubling development” and an assault on peace, human dignity, and civil liberties, including 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.The church body urged dialogue and reconciliation to resolve the country’s deepening political crisis.”Acts of intimidation and destruction only deepen divisions and threaten the vision of a peaceful and united Zimbabwe that we all want.
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.”The attacks come at a time of heightened political tension in Zimbabwe, with civic groups and opposition movements accusing state-aligned actors of orchestrating intimidation campaigns to silence criticism of the proposed constitutional term extension.No official comment had been issued by the Zimbabwe Republic Police at the time of going to press.Source – The StandardMore on:#Magaya,#Arrested,#RapeJoin the discussionLoading comments…Enable JavaScript to view comments.
Opposition activist Gilbert Mbwende says his family is living in fear after their Highfields home was petrol-bombed last week by unidentified assailants, in what observers describe as a politically motivated attack linked to growing tensions over efforts to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule to 2030.The attack occurred ahead of a scheduled press conference by civic and opposition groups under the Constitutional Defence Forum, which has publicly opposed Zanu-PF’s proposed campaign to push Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond the constitutionally mandated 2028 limit.On the same night, the Sapes Trust offices in Harare, led by academic Dr Ibbo Mandaza, which was also due to host the same event, were similarly petrol-bombed.Mbwende, a prominent member of the Constitutional Defence Forum, said he was not home when the assailants struck but that his mother and sister were assaulted during the attack.”My mother and sister were assaulted as the assailants asked for my whereabouts,” Mbwende told The Standard.”They were severely assaulted, and I had to take them to Parirenyatwa Hospital.
They are now recovering. My mother is traumatised and living in fear because she has never seen something like this.
My sister is also greatly affected.”He said the incident had been reported to Machipisa Police Station, but no arrests had been made by the time of publication.Sources said the Sapes Trust bombing followed a similar pattern, with unidentified suspects throwing petrol bombs into the seminar room before abducting the night guard and locking the premises’ gate with new padlocks to prevent emergency responders from entering.Observers believe the two attacks were part of a coordinated effort to intimidate activists and civil society groups critical of the so-called “ED2030” campaign.The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) condemned the attacks, describing them as a “dangerous escalation of politically motivated violence” aimed at silencing dissent.”This latest attack is a direct manifestation of the environment of fear and repression that many Zimbabweans face daily,” ZimRights said in a statement.”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 organisation called for a thorough and impartial investigation into both incidents and urged the state to guarantee the safety of civil society groups, activists, and opposition figures.The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) also condemned the bombings, calling them “a deeply troubling development” and an assault on peace, human dignity, and civil liberties, including 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.The church body urged dialogue and reconciliation to resolve the country’s deepening political crisis.”Acts of intimidation and destruction only deepen divisions and threaten the vision of a peaceful and united Zimbabwe that we all want.
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.”The attacks come at a time of heightened political tension in Zimbabwe, with civic groups and opposition movements accusing state-aligned actors of orchestrating intimidation campaigns to silence criticism of the proposed constitutional term extension.No official comment had been issued by the Zimbabwe Republic Police at the time of going to press.
Source – The Standard
More on:#Magaya,#Arrested,#RapeJoin the discussionLoading comments…Enable JavaScript to view comments.
More on:#Magaya,#Arrested,#Rape
Join the discussionLoading comments…Enable JavaScript to view comments.
