28 On 12 April, Hwenhira was again assaulted when he was drinking a soda at a beer hall with friends. He heard a commotion outside and went to investigate. There he was struck on the neck by Zanu (PF) youths and fell to the ground. The gang of youths robbed him of $500 and some MDC membership cards. He then sought medical attention at a clinic but the nurses told him to go to the police. Police later took him to the hospital where his right forearm was set in a cast. To this day he still has not regained full motor control in his right arm. Fifteen Zanu (PF) supporters allegedly beat a witness in Buhera North because he wore an MDC T-shirt. The attackers were said to have moved him to a shop where they beat him about the head and face until he almost lost consciousness. The shop owner stopped the beating by pleading with the attackers. She said that she did not want a death to take place on the premises. The witness suffered lacerations and bruises on both elbows, internal bleeding in right eye, and pain in the chest and back. Assaults by Group of Zanu (PF) Supporters A witness in the Makoni West election petition describes his attack whilst travelling to a funeral: L. Burewa, Chairman of his MDC branch, was assaulted along with other MDC members by Zanu (PF) supporters in April. A man named Mhiriphiri arrived at the MDC gathering, encouraged them to approach, telling them that other parties were free to organize in Zimbabwe. As the group approached Mhiriphiri, Zanu (PF) supporters alighted from a vehicle and began to assault everyone, saying, “MDC supporters are going to perish.” Burewa pointed out Minister Mahachi’s driver in the courtroom as the driver of the vehicle that carried the assailants. Torture as Sexual Assault A witness in the Mberengwa West election petition testified to a harrowing experience of torture: After testifying about her husband’s death, Mavis Tapera told the court about her own assault and subsequent torture on 4 July 2000. Assailants led by ‘Biggie’ Chitoro ordered her out of her house at night and used a knife to cut off her petticoat. At this point she was clad in only her pants. They began to assault her with logs, concentrating on the buttocks. She testified that one of the assailants asked her if MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai bought her the pants she was wearing. Her attackers then forced an iron rod into her genitals and ordered her to imitate sexual positions. Breaking down numerous times on the witness stand, Tapera testified that the ordeal was extremely painful but she was forced to continue. She then was taken to Texas Farm with her husband but was returned the same night. When her assailants returned her to her homestead, they urinated into a cup and forced her to drink from it. She told the court that one of the assailants threatened to force her to eat his stool if she refused. Torture Performed at Victims’ Homes Although many persons were abducted and tortured at bases, an equally large number experienced torture inflicted at their homes. This was usually in the context of an attack by a large group, and was frequently witnessed by members of the victim’s family, including children. In the Shurugwi election petition, Tawanda Moffat, an MDC member, testified that Zanu (PF) supporters beat him in his home. The three alleged assailants entered his home, accosted him and hit him in the leg with a small axe. Moffat required five stitches and showed the court his scar. He was also cut on the shoulder and hit in the head with the axe. Luckily, his wife deflected the blow to his head, which only caused him minimal damage. While there the alleged assailants asked for any MDC paraphernalia such as membership cards or t-shirts. Moffat waited for weeks to make a report for fear of reprisal attacks. After the report, police took no further action to his knowledge. AMANI Trust: Organised Violence and Torture in the June 2000 General Election in Zimbabwe