Published: 11 hours ago

A bomb attack on the SAPES Trust building early Tuesday destroyed the institute's seminar room just hours before pro-democracy activists were set to announce a campaign opposing President Emmerson Mnangagwa's bid to extend his rule beyond constitutional limits.

SAPES founder Ibbo Mandaza described the incident as a "targeted arson attack." According to Mandaza, a group of men arrived at the premises around 12:40 AM, overpowered the security guard, and threw what are believed to have been petrol bombs at the building.

"The guard was abducted and dumped for dead on the outskirts of the city at 1 AM. He managed to return 10 hours later, roughed up but alive," Mandaza said.

Despite the attack, activists including former MPs Tendai Biti, Munyaradzi Gwisai, and Job Sikhala attempted to hold the planned news conference inside the charred building. However, police sealed off the site, citing it as a crime scene.

On the same morning, a fire destroyed the home of Gilbert Mbwende, a member of the Constitutional Defence Forum, in Highfield at around 1:30 AM. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the incidents are linked.

Biti said the press conference was intended to announce a coalition of activists committed to "defending the constitution from mutilation."

"This is a non-partisan, non-political effort to defend the constitution — the values of the liberation struggle and our democratic struggle. We're uniting citizens to stop the vandalisation of our constitution," he said.

The attacks come amid Zanu PF's annual conference on 18 October, where the ruling party resolved to pursue constitutional amendments that would allow Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030. Mnangagwa, whose second and final term ends in August 2028, has not publicly rejected the proposal.

Analysts warn that with Zanu PF's two-thirds majority in parliament, the party could pass the amendments, though a referendum would still be required. Legal advisors for the party are reportedly exploring arguments to bypass a public vote, which political experts say would likely defeat the term extension proposal.

"If the term extension agenda was put to a referendum, it would be defeated," said Stephen Chan, professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London.

Attempts to organise public protests against the plan have been met with harsh police crackdowns, resulting in multiple arrests.

"Only mass popular expression of dissent may change course," added Musa Kika, director of the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa. "But prospects are low at the moment, given weak grassroots organising and mobilisation."

The incident underscores the heightened political tension and threats to civil space in Zimbabwe, raising concerns among human rights groups about the safety of activists and the freedom of public expression.
- zimlive

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