Police Probe Suspected Petrol Bomb Attack on Bishop Ngoni Mwazha’s Kwekwe Farmhouse

KWEKWE, Zimbabwe – Police have launched investigations into a suspected arson attack after unknown assailants allegedly petrol-bombed a farmhouse belonging to Bishop Ngoni Mwazha in Kwekwe, destroying property valued at more than US$150,000. The incident occurred late on Sunday night at Gabbari Farm in Sisombe, Kwekwe, while members of the Mwazha family were away from the property. No fatalities or injuries were reported, but a significant portion of the family's 13-room house was destroyed by the blaze. Bishop Ngoni Mwazha is the son of the late Archbishop Paul Mwazha, founder of the African Apostolic Church.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said investigations were ongoing.

"We are investigating a case which was reported at Gabbari Farm in Sisombe, Kwekwe, which belongs to Ngoni Edward Mwazha and was reported by Loveness Mwazha (38)," Commissioner Nyathi said.

He explained that Loveness Mwazha reported hearing unusual sounds at around 11 PM before noticing flames on the veranda that quickly spread into the house.

"She called for assistance, and they managed to rescue a few items, but the fire engulfed most of the house," Nyathi said. "A report was made to the Police at Kwekwe Rural, and the case is now under investigation. We will be releasing more details as investigations continue."

Speaking to The Herald, Bishop Mwazha's wife, Desiree Kwaramba-Mwazha, said the family had travelled to Harare on Saturday, leaving their daughter Loveness Mwazha at the main house while a farm worker remained in a nearby cottage. According to Kwaramba-Mwazha, her daughter was awakened by a loud noise shortly before the fire broke out.

"At around 11 PM, she heard a loud noise from outside and the sound of a window being broken," she said. "At first she thought it was ordinary criminals, but moments later she saw a ball of fire inside the house."

Loveness reportedly fled the house and alerted workers on the farm, who attempted to extinguish the flames before emergency services arrived.

Police were notified of the incident and subsequently contacted the Fire Brigade. However, by the time firefighters arrived, a large section of the house had already been consumed by the blaze. The family said the fire destroyed a substantial amount of property, including household furniture, kitchen equipment, bedding, blankets, personal belongings, and agricultural produce. Among the items lost were bags of maize and beans stored at the property, along with other valuables accumulated over many years.

The incident has raised concerns over suspected arson attacks targeting homes and farms, with investigators now working to establish the motive behind the attack and identify those responsible. Police have appealed to members of the public who may have information about the incident to assist investigators. Authorities say forensic investigations are underway, and no arrests have been made so far. The destruction of the farmhouse has left the family counting significant losses as police continue their efforts to determine whether the fire was deliberately set.

Bishop Ngoni Mwazha petrol bomb attack