Bishop Mwazha's home petrol bombed

UNKNOWN assailants petrol-bombed a house belonging to Bishop Ngoni Mwazha at his farm in Kwekwe on Sunday night, destroying property valued at more than US$150 000. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Police confirmed the attack and said investigations are underway, with further details expected to be released as inquiries progress.

Bishop Mwazha is the son of the late African Apostolic Church leader Archbishop Paul Mwazha.

In an interview, Mrs Desiree Kwaramba-Mwazha said the family had travelled to Harare on Saturday morning, leaving their daughter, Loveness Mwazha, at the main house, while a worker remained in a nearby cottage.

She said the attack occurred at around 11pm and was first noticed after their daughter heard a loud noise outside.

"At around 11PM, she heard a loud noise from outside and the sound of a window being broken. At first she thought it was ordinary criminals, but moments later she saw a ball of fire inside the house," she said.

According to the family, Loveness fled the house immediately and alerted workers on the farm, who attempted to extinguish the fire but were unable to control it.

Police and the Fire Brigade were called to the scene, but by the time emergency services arrived, part of the 13-roomed house had already been extensively damaged.

The fire destroyed household goods and valuables, including furniture, kitchen utensils, beds, blankets, food supplies such as maize and beans, as well as other property.

The family confirmed that the house was unoccupied at the time except for the daughter and a worker in a nearby cottage.

Authorities say investigations into the motive and identity of the attackers are ongoing.