Prominent activist Briggs Bomba has claimed that armed individuals, suspected to be state security agents, raided a leisure facility he operates in Harare with intentions to harm him.
At the time of the incident, Bomba was not at the Sherwood Golf Club, where approximately 20 men carrying AK-47 rifles arrived in at least nine vehicles, demanding, “Where is Briggs Bomba?!”
Reports indicate that Retired Lieutenant General Engelbert Rugeje, a member of the ZANU PF politburo, was among the patrons present during the raid. It is believed that he contacted the police after the armed men departed.
In a statement issued on 14 August 2024, Bomba, who serves as the Programs Director for TrustAfrica, a pan-African foundation that works across Africa to promote democratic governance and equitable development, said:
<blockquote>
On the evening of August 7, 2024, a group of armed men wielding AK-47 rifles stormed a community hub in Harare, where they expected me to be present. They clearly intended to abduct me and cause unimaginable harm.
The attackers came in four unmarked Toyota Fortuner vehicles and, in movie style, took control of the entrance gate and positioned their cars strategically facing the exit, headlights on, engines running, and drivers on the ready.
They proceeded to search the premises for my whereabouts, causing destruction and seizing electronic devices.
The security guard manning the gate was brutally assaulted and force-marched at gunpoint as the men demanded he show them where to find me. 
Additionally, two unmarked cars barricaded my house during the incident.
Witnesses described the attackers as menacing and extremely violent, and it was clear that their intentions were malicious.
It is evident that this was a direct attempt on my life, with a significant amount of state resources deployed for this mission.
So far, nine cars and not less than 20 men have been identified as being associated with this deadly operation.
I narrowly escaped harm because the attackers initiated their plan upon seeing my car, assuming I was present when, in reality, I wasn’t.
The facility that was targeted is a welcoming community space where people from diverse backgrounds gather, including children who participate in sports and socialize.
It is a space known as “everyone’s home.” Among those present during the attack were senior military officers who promptly called the police, although the gunmen had left by the time the police arrived.
The police recorded statements in the aftermath of the incident, and with political will, it would be possible to establish the facts of this matter.
</blockquote>
Bomba vowed to persist with his advocacy despite the “Gestapo tactics that eerily resemble Rhodesian-style methods” employed by his assailants. He said:
<blockquote>
Although the bewilderment and trauma from this experience are still fresh for me, what feels more poignant now is a sense of incredulity and deep disappointment.
At a time when we’re seeing signs of progress with communities coming together, protecting each other, and standing up for what’s right on a global scale, in my Zimbabwe, we are extinguishing the hope and life of our citizens and young people with callous acts. 
Leadership in Zimbabwe needs to do better than this and put an end to these Gestapo manoeuvres, which too closely resemble Rhodesian-style tactics that were used to terrorize and dehumanize black Zimbabweans before independence.
I remain fully resolved and committed to the true call for liberation until genuine freedom reigns for all in this beautiful country.
In that regard, I would like to call for the release of all political detainees and an end to the brutality, harassment, intimidation, and criminalization of activists and civil society leaders perceived as opposition.
We cannot allow a scenario where civil society is an endangered species.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Prominent activist Briggs Bomba worries for his safety after a group of armed men raided a leisure center in Harare looking for him. The attackers wanted to harm Bomba, but he wasn't there at the time. Witnesses described the armed men as very violent and their intentions as malicious. Bomba narrowly escaped harm because he wasn't at the center when the attackers arrived. He is determined to keep fighting for democracy and fair treatment for all people, despite the scary attack. Leaders in Zimbabwe need to stop using violent tactics against activists and citizens. Bomba is calling for the release of political detainees and an end to brutality towards activists.

Prominent Activist Fears For His Life After Heavily Armed Men Raid Harare Leisure Centre Looking For Him

Suspected State security agents, driving in unmarked Toyota Fortuner vehicles and armed with AK47s, reportedly stormed a bar where a retired top general and ZANU PF politburo member was drinking on Wednesday.
According to <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/ex-general-rugeje-caught-up-in-bar-cio-hunt-for-rights-activist/">ZimLive</a>, the operatives demanded to know the whereabouts of a top rights activist who is a regular patron at the facility.
Retired Lieutenant General Engelbert Rugeje watched in apparent shock as up to 15 agents harassed bar staff at Sherwood Golf Club while shouting: “Where is Briggs Bomba?!”
They looted the bar clean of expensive whisky as they left the leisure centre in Harare’s Mabelreign suburb.
Briggs Bomba serves as the Programs Director for TrustAfrica, a pan-African foundation that works across Africa to promote democratic governance and equitable development.
ZimLive reported sources as saying it was Gen Rugeje who called the police after the men had left. Police recorded a statement from the general and staff at the golf course.
Over the past few days, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has deployed a significant contingent of police and military personnel into high-density suburbs, in what appears to be an effort to preemptively suppress any feared protests or civil unrest during the regional summit.
As a result of this crackdown, more than 120 government critics have been arrested and denied bail on charges such as “participating in a gathering with the intent to promote violence, breaches of peace or bigotry, and disorderly conduct.”
On Friday, August 9, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Tandabantu Godwin Matanga announced the deployment of “adequate police officers and resources to ensure that peace prevails” during the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, as well as the SADC Summit.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

State security agents armed with AK47s stormed a bar looking for a rights activist. Top general Rugeje called the police after they left. The activists were looking for Briggs Bomba who works for TrustAfrica. President Mnangagwa deployed police and military in neighborhoods to prevent protests. More than 120 people have been arrested. Police have been deployed to ensure peace during holidays and a summit.

Rugeje Calls Police After AK47-wielding Men Rampage Through Bar In Hunt For Rights Activist

The Citizens Manifesto has called on the government to immediately create an inclusive framework for a national dialogue to address the country’s woes.
Addressing a press briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Citizens Manifesto convenor Briggs Bomba implored the government not to overlook the opportunity to deal with the ongoing national crises. He said:
<blockquote>In this regard, we call on the government of Zimbabwe to immediately take measures to create an inclusive framework for a national dialogue towards a comprehensive national settlement as already proposed through the national convergence platform.
We urge the government not to blow this chance to resolve the national crisis.
In the interim we call on the government to cease the crackdown against dissenting voices, release all political prisoners and stop the widespread persecution of activists and respect our democratic rights as granted by the Constitution.</blockquote>
Bomba said due to the polarisation that exists in Zimbabwe, a former head of State or international statesman should take a leading role in galvanising all stakeholders towards an inclusive national dialogue.
This comes as Zimbabwe’s main trading partner and refuge to millions of its citizens, South Africa, has offered to help in resolving Harare’s perennial challenges.
<h4>More: <a href="https://dailynews.co.zw/govt-must-act-to-save-country-from-implosion/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Daily News</a></h4>

Citizens' Manifesto Pleads For Inclusive National Dialogue

The Citizens Manifesto Convenor Briggs Bomba spoke to the Daily News and said the country is ripe for an inclusive national dialogue to solve some of the socio-economic woes ravaging the country right now. Asked about his thoughts on the political players’ appetite to dialogue Bomba said:
<blockquote>Our hope is that the gravity of the condition of our country and the soul of our country would push the key political players to put country, citizens and constitutionalism (all values we hope they adhere to) above self-interest.
We are in a crisis moment, and the depth of our crisis means the solutions cannot and should not lie in any one actor across the spectrum.
The pain of citizens is unbearable, and there needs to be some immediate relief or social protection to citizens, especially the most vulnerable.
We do not have the luxury of paying lip service to working for growth and development in Zimbabwe; the only way to show it now is by all of us coming to the table and co-creating the solutions which will make citizens feel safe, hopeful and cared for by the leaders of this country.</blockquote>
The President <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/01/10/ed-confided-in-some-zanu-pf-officials-that-he-is-not-too-keen-to-dialogue-with-chamisa-report/">reportedly confided to party officials that he is not too keen to dialogue with Chamisa.</a> Chamisa <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/12/24/we-have-no-plans-of-joining-the-polad-charade-mdc-alliance/">has also made it clear he will not join</a> <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/POLAD">POLAD</a>.
More: <a href="https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2020/01/12/inclusive-national-dialogue-imperative">Daily News </a>

OPINION: An Inclusive Dialogue Is Now Imperative - Citizens Manifesto

AMH media entrepreneur, Trevor Ncube hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/BriggsBomba">Citizen’s Manifesto</a> leader and political activist, Briggs Bomba:
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z5OGkD04cUA?feature=oembed" title="Citizens' Manifesto Convener Briggs Bomba In Conversation With Trevor (Full Episode)" width="640"></iframe></div>

WATCH: Trevor Ncube Interviews Citizens Manifesto Leader

A pro-democracy campaigner, Briggs Bomba, said Zimbabweans should stop viewing President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Emmerson_Mnangagwa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Emmerson Mnangagwa</a> and MDC president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Nelson_Chamisa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nelson Chamisa</a> as minor deities.
The Citizens Manifesto convener was speaking at the movement’s review of their National People’s Conference the group held last month. He said:
<blockquote>Citizens must understand that there is nothing special about President Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC President Nelson Chamisa, nothing at all.
… we should stop treating them as demigods and let them realise they are there to serve the interests of those who voted them into power; they serve us.</blockquote>
Bomba reminded his audience that during their childhood, Mnangagwa and Chamisa walked barefoot in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mberengwa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mberengwa</a> and Gutu respectively, and should not be treated as demigods.
He urged the electorate to introspect and realise that they were making continuous mistakes in voting for promises rather than results.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/nothing-special-about-mnangagwa-chamisa-says-top-civic-leader/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

"Nothing Special About Mnangagwa, Chamisa" - Briggs Bomba

Briggs Bomba, a social activist who works for civic organisations, Trust Africa and the ZimAlliance collaborative has hit back at a report by State-owned publication, The Herald.
The publication carried a story on May 17, titled “Plot To unleash violent protests unearthed” in which it implicated Bomba as being among individuals who are plotting to foment chaos in the country next month.
In a public statement in response to The Herald story, Bomba said:
<blockquote>Today, I am compelled to issue this public statement, given the consistent pattern of harassment and increasing threats against my person by the state security apparatus in Zimbabwe.
… My name and the organisation that I work for, TrustAfrica and the ZimAlliance collaborative, are recklessly mentioned s behind the so-called plots to overthrow the Zimbabwean government, without any shred of evidence.
I declare this totally false, as would be established any basic look at facts.
I demand an equally prominent full apology and retraction of the lies by the Herald. failure of which, I reserve my rights to pursue justice through the courts.
… The harassment against myself and other civic leaders must stop. It has no place in a free and democratic society.</blockquote>
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