Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum Teaching them a lesson: A report on the attack on Zimbabwean teachers Zhombe October 2001 Unnamed teachers from Zhombe Primary and Tenda High schools fled to Gweru after “war veterans” allegedly abducted pupils from these schools to a base in Gokwe. The two schools were among seven schools in Kwekwe and Kadoma districts closed under similar circumstances. Zvishavane 11 March 2001 AM, a teacher at Mhondongore School and an MDC supporter gave testimony in court in February 2001 in the MDC cases. The following Monday the case was reported in the public press. The “war veterans” in his community allegedly started harassing him and claimed that he showed his allegiance to MDC by testifying in their case they held a meeting at which he was sent packing from the school. The victim alleges that he went to the Ministry of Education but they refused to help. MASHONALAND EAST The province was characterised by incidents of teachers being forced to contribute towards independence celebrations and the President's birthday celebrations. Chikomba 7 April 2001 Zanu PF supporters allegedly went to BM's homestead. The victim was however not at home. They threatened his brother-in-law with death. They claimed that an MDC meeting was taking place at his homestead. They broke down the door and searched underneath beds, wardrobes and threw clothes around. They threatened to burn the house down. The victim had to ask his wife to take their three children and go to her rural home for their own safety. No report was made to the police as Inspector Mpofu, the Member in Charge, is a “war veteran”, and “war veterans” and Zanu PF supporters previously assaulted the victim. 27 June 2002 Mucheneripi Chikato, Jairos Mutasa and two other Zanu PF supporters allegedly went to NW's residence armed with sticks and stones. The victim managed to flee the area together with his wife before they could attack him. Hwedza 16 July 2001 VM and AK from Hwedza High School were members of MDC, ZimRights, NCA and ZESN based at Hwedza. In January 2000 they were allegedly forced to stop supporting the MDC and did so, but continued their association with the other organisations. In July, “war veterans”, being led by Chirinda, allegedly went to the school where the victims teach and started singing and chanting slogans. VM and AS hid in the 13