Time for accountability 7 security forces, “war veterans” and ZANU-PF supporters of having voted “wrongly” in the March elections. The violations that took place after the March elections were state-sponsored. The violations were primarily perpetrated by “war veterans”, ZANU-PF supporters, and also state security forces – army officers, CIO agents and police officers. Accounts from diverse victims indicate that the perpetrators were using government vehicles13 and enjoyed state protection from arrest. During the period leading up to the presidential election run-off, the government of Zimbabwe created or allowed conditions of extreme insecurity in the country. Known MDC activists, their family members, sympathizers and other government critics at all levels were at risk of abduction, torture and other ill-treatment and, in some cases, death. In rural areas people suspected to have voted for the MDC in the March election were identified with the help of traditional leaders and local ZANU-PF leaders. Victims had their homes burned down, livestock killed, and granaries plundered or destroyed as a form of punishment. Although it was difficult to quantify the number of internally displaced people, an estimated 28,000 people fled their homes as a result of the violence. The majority of them fled to urban areas to seek medical attention and refuge.14 The violence impacted negatively on the already strained health sector. For example, in August doctors told Amnesty International that the country had run out of crutches and that between 300 and 500 pairs had to be imported. The number of victims with broken legs and arms was overwhelming: Amnesty International saw whole hospital wards filled with people with broken limbs. ZANU-PF torture camps In most wards of Mashonaland, Midlands, Manicaland and Masvingo provinces, “war veterans” and local ZANU-PF leaders established makeshift torture camps. The camps were set up in the form of tents, clearings within a community, classrooms or at the homestead of ZANU-PF officials or displaced MDC activists.15 Led by serving or retired army officers, “war veterans” or ZANU-PF leaders, the camps, also known as bases, were known to the police and were only dismantled some time after the election on 27 June. Local people were forced to attend all-night meetings at these camps. There, people were made to watch their neighbours being beaten and warned that if they did not vote for ZANU-PF on 27 June they would face a similar fate. MDC supporters were forced to denounce the party and surrender all their party materials, including t-shirts and membership cards. Dozens of MDC supporters died after beatings at these camps. Local youths were forced to attend the camp meetings and participate in beatings. Amnesty International AI Index: AFR 46/028/2008