HARARE – The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has condemned recent suspected arson attacks in Harare, including the firebombing of the SAPES Trust offices and the burning of a home belonging to Constitutional Defence Forum member Gilbert Mbwende, describing them as an assault on peace, human dignity and civil liberties.
In a statement on Wednesday, the church group said it was deeply disturbed by the incidents, which also reportedly involved the abduction of a security guard.
The ZCC said the attacks were “a deeply troubling development” and urged the authorities to act swiftly and transparently.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission must conduct independent investigations to ensure perpetrators are held accountable,” the council said.
The church reminded leaders and citizens alike of the biblical call to peace, quoting Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
“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 council said the incidents threatened Zimbabwe’s fragile civic space and called for the protection of constitutional rights such as freedom of assembly, speech and conscience.
ZCC urged calm, restraint and renewed commitment to dialogue, saying Zimbabwe’s hope lies not in intimidation or destruction but in inclusive engagement.
“Acts of intimidation and destruction only deepen divisions and threaten the vision of a peaceful and united Zimbabwe that we all want,” the church added.
The ZCC said it would continue its work through its National Dialogue, Just Peace and Social Cohesion programme to foster conversations among political, civic, traditional and faith leaders “for the healing and transformation of our country.”
“We continue to pray for the victims of these attacks, for courage among our leaders to pursue truth and justice, and for the healing of our nation,” it said. – ZimLive
