A 41-year-old man told Human Rights Watch that on April 12, he reported to police at Nyamapanda police station that “war veterans” and ZANU-PF supporters had assaulted him, stolen a radio and sewing machine from his hut, and then burned down his huts and maize. He said the police at the station simply noted his case but took no further action.113 A woman who was severely assaulted by ZANU-PF supporters and “war veterans” in Mudzi, Mashonaland East was taken by relatives to Kotwa Police Station to make a report. Four other victims of political violence accompanied her. At the station the police simply gave the victims letters to take to Kotwa hospital for medical attention. Although the woman could identify her assailants—they were ZANU-PF youths from her village—the police took no action in the case.114 Police officers and others have told Human Rights Watch that the police are under strict instructions not to interfere with “political issues” and are not in a position to assist victims.115 These police officers said that police are operating under the instructions of senior army and government officials and are thus unable to operate independently in dealing with the violence.116 For example, a 38-year-old man from Mutoko reported being beaten by ZANU-PF supporters on April 10 at his home. When he made a report at Mutoko Central Police Station the police officer handling his case allegedly said, “Go and fight back, the police will not interfere in political issues.”117 A woman told Human Rights Watch that when she reported her case at the same police station, she was told that police at the station were under strict instructions from their superiors not to arrest those involved in political violence or interfere in any way. 113 Human Rights Watch interview, Harare, April 17, 2008. 114 Human Rights Watch interview, Harare, April 17, 2008. 115 Human Rights Watch interviews with police and prison services officers, Harare, May 19, 2008. 116 Human Rights Watch interviews with police and prison services officers, Harare, May 19, 2008. 117 Human Rights Watch interview with 38-year-old man, Harare April 17, 2008. Failure to act by the police is not a new phenomenon. At the height of the “farm invasions” in 2000, the police refused to comply with court orders to evict war veterans who had invaded farms, arguing that police did not have sufficient resources to handle the matter. See, for example, Commissioner of Police v. Commercial Farmers Union, Case No. HC3985/2000. 55 Human Rights Watch 2008