Residents of Braeside’s Southern Suburb were jolted awake in the early hours of Thursday, 18 September 2025, by angry shouts and chaos that quickly spiraled into violence. The target of the unrest was a cottage occupied by Diana Katu (38) and Faith Mukonyo (33), alleged to be a lesbian couple.
According to witnesses, a crowd of men and women gathered outside the property chanting “Ngochani ngadzife” (death to homosexuals). Fellow tenants tried to explain that the two women were not at home, but the explanation did little to calm the mob. Within minutes, stones were hurled at the cottage, shattering windows and creating panic within the yard.
The situation worsened when members of the group forced their way into the premises. Eyewitnesses said furniture was dragged outside before being set on fire. Flames soon engulfed the property, reducing the couple’s belongings to ashes.
The landlord of the burnt cottage expressed outrage, saying he had been unaware of the tenants’ lifestyle. “If I had known, they would never have moved in. Dai ndakapisa imba yacho varimo imomo (I wish I had burned the house with them inside). They should be found and locked up because they are to blame for this fire,” he told reporters.
Neither Katu nor Mukonyo could be reached for comment. Neighbours said the pair had recently traveled, though their destination was unknown.
The incident follows a series of tense national debates on homosexuality. Earlier this month, Zimbabwe’s Vice President publicly condemned same-sex relationships, linking them to foreign influences. In response, the United States announced a halt to certain LGBTIQ funding initiatives in the country, fueling further polarization.
What began as a domestic tenancy dispute has now escalated into a broader conversation about human rights, law, and tolerance in Zimbabwe.
Violence and hate should never replace dialogue; every person deserves safety, dignity, and the right to live without fear.
