Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Unknown attackers firebombed the SAPES Trust offices in Belgravia, Harare, early on Tuesday, 28 October, destroying the organisation’s seminar room, a popular spot for public debates and policy discussions.
The attack came just hours before a planned press conference by opposition figures, including Job Sikhala, Tendai Biti, and Jacob Ngarivhume, to challenge ZANU-PF’s proposal to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s second term indefinitely.
SAPES Trust founder Ibbo Mandaza said the arsonists also abducted the night guard on duty and locked the property’s gate with new padlocks before fleeing the scene. Mandaza wrote on X:
“This is to announce that there’s been another arson attack( the first was in August 2023 ahead of the elections) at SAPES Trust at midnight, with the PanAfrika Restaurant on fire and the security staff overtaken by a group of armed attackers.
“This is hardly a coincidence: there’s the National Press Conference against the 2030 Agenda scheduled for 11 am at SAPES Trust today 28 October.
“The SAPES Trust Seminar Room, the usual venue for meetings, has been completely gutted by the arsonists who have since abducted the security guard who was on duty.
“… it was an organized attack at 12:40 am today: the main target was the SAPES Trust Seminar Room, the usual venue for meetings, which has been left gutted to the ground by fire; and then they abducted the guard on duty after locking up the gate with two padlocks.”
Mandaza said the 11 AM press conference will go ahead as planned, rising from the ashes of the destruction and taking place in full view of the world.
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