They followed a week-long campaign against the newspaper by President Robert Mugabe's government. Residents throughout Harare heard the explosions at about 1.30am. They tore the roof off the large factory and mangled the printing presses. Much Masunda, chief executive of Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe, which owns the Daily News, said several men distracted security guards at the plant's front gate while others knocked down part of the back wall and broke in. Five big bombs were placed at key points among the presses and then detonated.
Forensic experts say the perpetrators had considerable knowledge of explosives.
This is a result of a general breakdown of law and order in this country. We will not be silenced. We will come back even stronger. The Daily News was launched nearly two years ago and has been strongly critical of Mr Mugabe's government, including Zimbabwe's involvement in the Congo war and numerous corruption scandals. Its circulation soared above 100,000 a day, outstripping the state-owned Herald which has become a virulent mouthpiece of the government.