Online Reporter
Online Reporter
Ms Nonhlanhla Sibanda, a single mother of three, lost her livelihood after her popular food outlet stall was allegedly torched in what employees of the food outlet believe was the culmination of months of intimidation linked to claims that members of the LGBTQ+ community frequently patronised the establishment.
The stall was located in Mbare, close to Mbare Musika in Harare.
According to one of employees, what began as a thriving food business eventually descended into a nightmare as hostility from some members of the community and rival business operators intensified.
“The establishment was never part of the gay community. The LGBTQ+ community simply came to the stall because they enjoyed the food and felt comfortable there,” said the employee.
According to the employee, the food outlet had built a strong reputation for affordable meals and quality service, attracting customers from all walks of life. Over time, however, it became a frequent meeting place for members of the gay community who were drawn to the establishment because of its welcoming atmosphere and popular menu.
The employee alleged that as the clientele diversified, rumours began circulating that she was promoting or supporting homosexuality, leading to resentment from some local residents and competing businesses.
The allegations reportedly triggered a wave of hostility against the establishment, with customers allegedly being harassed and staff subjected to verbal abuse.
The employee said threatening messages and anonymous warnings became increasingly common.
“There were people who openly said they wanted the food outlet shut down. Some accused our boss Ms Sibanda of encouraging behaviour they did not approve of. It reached a point where we were now in constant fear for our safety.”
Witnesses said tensions in the area had been building for months before the attack.
The situation took a dramatic turn when unknown assailants allegedly set fire to the food outlet during the night. By the time emergency services arrived, the blaze had engulfed the building, destroying equipment, stock and furniture worth thousands of dollars.
Residents reported seeing flames shooting into the sky as the fire rapidly spread through the structure.
“The entire building was burning. There was nothing that could be saved,” said one witness who requested anonymity.
No injuries were reported, but the incident left the five employees that were employed by Ms Sibanda without jobs and brought the business to an abrupt halt.
Another employee said they believed the attack was the culmination of a campaign of intimidation that had escalated from verbal threats to violence.
“The food outlet was our livelihood, Ms Sibanda had employed five of us and giving us a decent salary,” she said.
Police confirmed receiving reports of the fire and investigations into the cause of the blaze have been launched. No arrests had been made at the time of writing.
The incident has raised concerns among residents about growing intolerance, vigilantism and the use of violence to settle social and ideological disputes.
Community leaders have since called for calm and urged members of the public to respect the rule of law while allowing police to complete their investigations into the attack.
For Ms Sibanda, the destruction of the food outlet marked the end of a business she had spent time building and a traumatic chapter that continues to affect her family.
