Exiled Zimbabwean music legend Thomas Mapfumo has confirmed to Nehanda Radio that suspected Zanu PF thugs burnt down his home in Domboshava on Monday.
A video of the home on fire has gone viral on social media with the person filming giving a running commentary.
Speaking to Nehanda Radio, Mapfumo, a fierce anti-government critic, said he has owned the home for over 20 years, almost the same period he has been in exile in the United States.
“It’s not possible for that house to have caught fire in the manner it did, there was no grass in the area around the house, so those trying to blame a veld fire are not telling the truth.
“In between where they are claiming the fire started and my house there are other properties, why would the fire head straight to my home only?
“This is someone who went and torched the house and then they set the grass in the surrounding area to create a diversion.
“The home has been occupied occupied by tenants over the years but we recently removed them to facilitate repairs to the roof.
[VIDEO] In this video, a man alleges that musician Thomas Mapfumo’s home has been set on fire. According to ZimEye, Mapfumo stated that his nephews were threatened by unidentified attackers shortly before his three-bedroom property was torched. pic.twitter.com/j2ag1cQ6Ax
— Crime Watch Zimbabwe (@crimewatchzw) September 25, 2024
His relatives on the ground have confirmed that a group of Zanu PF members came to the local shops in the area to buy drinks and made threats directed at them.
Asked what the way forward for them was, Mapfumo confirmed he was discussing with his children about turning the house into an arts centre.
Details of how they will do this and how those who want to help can do so will be released in due course.
Political violence in Zimbabwe is associated with the incumbent ruling party..
Zanu PF so😭😭😭.. And they go around and say 'im as soft as wool, zim is open for investment, there's rule of law"🙄
Brick by brick/fire by fire
sorry cde