Sapes Trust premises in Belgravia, Harare, shortly after midnight, completely gutting the organisation’s seminar room – a well-known venue for public debates and policy discussions.
The attack occurred just hours before a planned press conference by opposition figures Job Sikhala and Tendai Biti, which was set to challenge the ZANU PF stance on the 2030 agenda which seeks to extend Presidential Emerson Mnangagwa beyond 2030.
According to Sapes Trust founder and academic Dr Ibbo Mandaza, the arsonists also abducted the night guard who was on duty and locked the property’s gate with new padlocks before fleeing the scene.
“Yes, it was an organised attack at 12:40 am today,” Mandaza wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “The main target was the SAPES Trust Seminar Room, the usual venue for meetings, which has been left gutted by fire. They abducted the guard on duty after locking up the gate with two padlocks.”
Police is yet to confirm.
The Southern African Political Economy Series (SAPES) Trust, established by Mandaza, has for decades served as a platform for public dialogue on democracy, governance, and human rights in Zimbabwe.
Police had not yet issued a statement by the time of publication.
The Southern African Political Economy Series (SAPES) Trust, established by Mandaza, has for decades served as a platform for public dialogue on democracy, governance, and human rights in Zimbabwe.
