example, on May 8, the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR)
reported that it had documented 900 victims of organized violence and torture,
including 22 deaths, in the post-election period.21 As of May 27, Human Rights Watch
had confirmed at least 36 deaths and found that the number of confirmed victims of
violence and torture across the country had risen to almost 2,000.22 Nearly all were
MDC activists or people perceived to have voted for the MDC. Some have been
observers from the independent Zimbabwe Election Support Network.
ZANU-PF supporters and their allies have not found it necessary to prove that a
person voted for the MDC before meting out “punishment.” Instead they have
examined results posted outside polling stations to identify areas where people
voted for MDC in large numbers, even if the MDC lost to ZANU-PF in those areas.23
For example, a 26-year-old man from Mudzi, Mashonaland East was beaten by ZANUPF youth simply because they believed he was an MDC member. He told Human
Rights Watch:
They surrounded my place around midnight on April 13. They were 30
ZANU-PF youth and war veterans. They broke down the door and tied
my hands and took me. I was beaten with logs until 8 a.m. I was
accused of being an MDC member and a sell-out.24
In Mudzi, Mashonaland East, victims told Human Rights Watch that ZANU-PF
supporters accused MDC officials and polling agents of “bringing the disease of MDC
into the area,” necessitating a cleansing process that would be achieved through
beating people into repentance.25
In Vhombozi village, Mudzi, Mashonaland East, ZANU-PF supporters went on a witchhunt for those suspected of having voted for the MDC in order to punish them. A 4121
Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights, “Statement concerning escalating cases of organised violence and
torture, and of intimidation of medical personnel,” May 9, 2008. On file with Human Rights Watch.
22
Human Rights Watch interviews with medical personnel documenting cases of beatings and torture in Harare, April, May
and June 2008.
23
Human Rights Watch interviews with victims from Mudzi, Mashonaland East, Harare, April 17, 2008.
24
Human Rights Watch interview with 26-year old man, Harare, April 17, 2008
25
Human Rights Watch interviews with victims from Mudzi, Mashonaland East, Harare, April 17, 2008.
“Bullets for Each of You”
16
Select target paragraph3
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