The home of ZanuPF youth activist Sybeth Musengezi challenging the legitimacy of President Emmerson Mnangangwa was allegedly petrol bombed last Saturday.
A few days prior to today’s High Court trial, which will examine Mnangangwa’s validity, the alleged bombing occurred destroying a house and motor vehicle.
According to Musengezi, Mnangangwa’s ascent to power following the 2017 coup was illegal.
Saturday evening, Musengezi posted on Twitter notifying followers of the attack and pleading for assistance.
“410 sandton on fire my house petrol bombed help please.
“Help please petrol bombing at my house in sandton,” read the tweets.
Musengezi was able to escape, and nearby residents put out the fire with buckets of water.
In October 2021, Musengezi launched an attack against Mnangagwa’s legitimacy, claiming that the Zanu PF leader had wrongfully taken over after the military overthrew previous President Robert Mugabe in November 2017.
Musengezi cited Zanu PF, party’s finance secretary Patrick Chinamsa, former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko, and party’s secretary for administration Obert Mpofu.
Mnangagwa’s presidency might be overturned if the court case is successful, but legal watch dogs doubt that Zimbabwe’s judiciary is sufficiently independent to render such a decision.
Musengezi’s application has been dismissed by Zanu PF as a non-event since the party has determined that he is not an authorized member. However, Musengezi has provided proof that he is a legitimate Zanu PF supporter.