ACADEMIC Ibbo Mandaza has threatened legal action against the police over what he describes as a continued failure to disclose progress on investigations into the bombing of SAPES Trust offices in Harare last year.
Mandaza, director of SAPES Trust, through his lawyer Obey Shava of Shava Law Chambers, has written to the police demanding the immediate release of a preliminary forensic report, as well as an update on the status of the final investigation report.
The SAPES Trust premises in Belgravia, Harare, were bombed in the early hours of October 28, just hours before a scheduled Press conference of opposition politicians who intended to rally Zimbabweans against Zanu PF’s controversial 2030 agenda, which seeks to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term by two years.
In a letter addressed to Detective PT Majuta of the CID Law and Order section, Shava said police had acknowledged receipt of an inquiry dated February 6, 2026 and promised to respond after consulting the station handling the matter. However, he said two months had passed without feedback.
“We find the continued silence from your department to be deeply concerning and administratively unacceptable,” Shava wrote.
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He added that police had, as early as December 2025, indicated that a preliminary forensic report was available, but the document had not been shared with SAPES Trust.
“Despite this, the report was omitted from your correspondence and has never been shared with our client,” the letter read.
Shava said the reports were urgently needed for insurance assessments and internal security review, adding that the delay was causing significant financial and operational prejudice to SAPES Trust.
He accused police of failing to honour previous undertakings.
“Your subsequent undertaking to revert has proven to be an empty promise, resulting in an indefinite delay that violates the principles of administrative justice,” he said.
The lawyer gave the police seven days to release the preliminary report and provide an update on the final forensic report, warning that failure to comply will trigger legal action.
“Should you fail to comply or provide a satisfactory response, we have strict instructions to escalate this matter and to take appropriate legal action for the vindication of our client’s rights,” Shava warned.
The bombing of SAPES Trust offices sparked widespread condemnation, with critics linking the attack to shrinking democratic space and rising political intolerance ahead of debate on the proposed extension of Mnangagwa’s rule beyond 2028.
Police have not publicly announced any arrest or suspect.