Activist's home petrol-bombed over ED2030 debate

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.