12 threatening. They are scarred by axe cuts, whip lashes, burns, and bruises, among other wounds. Their decision to become members or supporters of an opposition party has cost them their health, their homes and their property. They lived in fear of their lives and often being trailed by state agents. The impact of the trauma they are experiencing now will have enduring consequences. Incitement of violence President Robert Mugabe has incited and condoned violence for political gain, warning that “death will befall” his opponents and that “MDC is courting danger”. Other high-ranking Zanu (PF) officials have been similarly blatant in encouraging violence. These statements in themselves constitute offences under the Electoral Act and various other laws, as well as of democratic and human rights principles. They send a message to the perpetrators of violence that they are acting with the authority of the leadership of the country. Not only do the perpetrators believe their acts will be tolerated or even welcomed, but the police have often declared their reluctance to act because of “orders from above”. An Assessment of Reports of Violence by the Opposition During the election there were no reported cases of violence by members of the main opposition parties other than MDC. There were several reports of MDC violence, reported mostly in the state media. MDC youths were accused of attacking Zanu (PF) youths and war veterans in at least 19 separate incidents in different parts of the country since mid-March. There is evidence that MDC members have been responsible for assaults, property damage and intimidation. In some of these cases, Zanu (PF) members are known to have been injured. While the Forum has not received testimony in any of these cases, it has received information regarding incidents in Mukumbura and Mberengwa which is relevant to the context in which some of the violence has taken place, suggesting that MDC members may have been acting in retaliation or self-defense. Although violence by supporters of the ruling party affected communities in all parts of Zimbabwe, a statistical analysis up to 4 June 2000 by province indicated that certain regions were affected worse than others. Most reported cases of violence occurred in Harare, which had 23,3 % of the total. 22,1% of reported violations occurred in Mashonaland East, 15,6% in Mashonaland Central, and 10% in the Midlands. These statistics are based largely upon newspaper reports. They are by no means definitive, indeed as regards Harare they are somewhat misleading. Account must be taken of the fact that while cases of violence which occur in the province of Harare are much more likely to be reported to the independent press ⎯ which has been at the forefront of exposing the violence ⎯ those which occur in outlying districts often remain hidden.