Tendai Biti knows the person who bombed his house

Tendai Biti, the Harare East MDC-T MP and former Finance minister, whose house was bombed yesterday said he was aware of who was behind the attack but he would allow police to carry out their investigations independently.

Police in Harare yesterday said they were investigating a suspected bomb attack that occurred at MDC-T secretary-general Tendai Biti's Umwinsdale house on the outskirts of the capital early on Monday morning.

National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the alleged attack.

"I can confirm the attack. A report was made and the police are still carrying out investigations," Charamba said.

The Harare East MDC-T MP and former Finance minister yesterday said although he was aware of who was behind the attack, he would allow police to carry out their investigations independently.

"I reported the matter at Borrowdale Police Station," Biti said.

"It is unfortunate because the attack could have affected all my family members. As Zimbabwe, we should condemn violence in all forms, whether it is political or domestic.

"I will not prejudge the work of the police although I have a strong belief of where it could be coming from."

Security cameras at the house showed the petrol bomb being thrown from a moving vehicle, which then sped off as the device exploded at around 0100 hours. The bomb exploded near the security wall close to where the guard patrols. The guard escaped unhurt.

A security guard who identified himself as Jani was manning the gate when the incident occurred. He told reporters that the assailants were driving a twin-cab vehicle.

"It was just after 1am when I heard the sound of a vehicle which was passing. After about two minutes, I heard the sound of an explosion and I rushed outside to see what it was, and I only saw a twin cab speeding off," he said.

Jani said he got the impression that the assailants knew the place well.

"I think they wanted to bomb the guard room but the explosive was stopped by the pillar. I informed Mr Biti who was sleeping in the main house together with his family and we made a police report at Borrowdale Police Station in the morning.

"A replay of the CCTV footage shows that the car was a twin-cab and had number plates though they are not visible."

However, MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said: "The attack bears the fingerprints of Zanu-PF. We condemn the act and we are saying, after discussions with Honourable Biti, this is the work of MDC enemies. The attack bears the fingerprints of Zanu-PF. It is clear there are political parties that want to exacerbate the disagreements within MDC and play MDC leaders against each other. Clearly, the MDC does not resolve its political disputes in such a cowardly fashion."

Biti and MDC-T deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma are currently at the centre of internal strife where they are being accused of pushing for the ouster of party leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Two weeks ago, Mangoma was allegedly assaulted by party youths at the MDC-T headquarters while Biti is reported to have sought refuge inside Tsvangirai's vehicle as youths aligned to the party leader went after him.

Although Tsvangirai has publicly distanced himself from the assault, Mangoma has maintained his party boss was complicit in the attack.

This is not the first time a petrol bomb attack has been made at Biti's properties.

His Highlands house survived a similar attack in June 2011 when he was still Finance minister and no suspects were arrested over the incident.