10th petrol bomb attack in Zim
2007-04-02 10:30
Special Report
The case against Zimbabwean Roy Bennett, is based on false evidence, his lawyers have said in a trial which has raised tensions within the fragile unity government.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe says he doesn't expect the US sanctions on his country to be lifted soon.
Harare - Unknown attackers in Zimbabwe threw petrol bombs at a store belonging to a businessman with links to the ruling Zanu-PF party, reports said on Monday.
The attack on Gumbas Wholesalers in downtown Harare on Saturday night damaged office equipment worth Z$150m (R4.3m), state radio said.
"I am surprised by such action because Gumbas Wholesale offers reasonable prices and valuable service to people in spite of the political divide," former Zanu-PF MP Christopher Chigumba, the owner of the store, was quoted as telling the official Herald newspaper.
It was the tenth petrol bomb attack in three weeks of mounting political tensions.
State media and President Robert Mugabe's government blame the attacks, which have also targeted a passenger train and police stations, on activists from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai.
The opposition party has dismissed the accusations, blaming the attacks on state agents bent on tarnishing the opposition to justify a government crackdown on its officials.
At least eight MDC officials arrested in police raids on their homes and the party's headquarters last week were expected to appear in court on Monday.
Lawyers and doctors say the group has been severely assaulted while in police custody.
Sapa-dpa
- SAPA