Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum: Report on pre-election political violence in Mberengwa Case 7: I was forced to linger around the village during the night, singing for the Zanu (PF) youths. Case 8: I was forced to cook for Zanu (PF) youths. I was also made to run the whole night from Musume to Mataga being made to sing. Unwilling tools of intimidation Supporters of the opposition became tools used by the ruling party to terrorise other opposition members. Unable to find voluntary recruits to assist them in their barbaric exercise, Zanu (PF) members and war vets began to forcefully recruit members of the opposition party. They were made to intimidate and beat up other members of their own party and were at times used as a decoy when trying to gain entry to the homes of supporters of the opposition movement. Unsuspecting victims would open their doors to those they thought were fellow party members whereupon the Zanu (PF) members would take over and either steal or damage property. They would also beat up their victims, beatings in which the unwilling recruits were made to take part. Case 9: I was at home in Masaga Village when a group of people came saying, "Let's go to a Zanu (PF) rally". When we got there we were forced to sing Zanu (PF) and Chimurenga songs. We were ordered to go to Mataga and beat MDC supporters. If we failed to do so we were told we would be beaten. Case 10: We were forced to attend Zanu (PF) rallies at night. We were used as tools to intimidate people to vote for Zanu (PF). Nature of human rights violations These are described under the various headings indicated earlier. The table below shows the frequency of the various types of human rights violations reported. As can be seen, torture, ill-treatment and property damage are the most frequent violations reported. Rape and indecent assault are not reported with any frequency, but it should be remembered that these violations are generally under-reported and more so in civil conflicts. Frequency of human rights violations in Mberengwa East Frequency of human rights violations in Mberengwa East Other Intimidation/Threats Property Damage Detention Arrest Ill-treatment Rape & Indecent assault Theft Torture Death 0 10 20 30 7 40 50 60 70