By December 24, we had found 709 grams of industrial diamonds and 17 gemstones, but the soldiers refused to give us anything. When we complained, the soldiers beat us all and ordered us to continue working. When we attempted to run away, the soldiers shot at us and killed my friend who was running in front. I continued to run, not realizing immediately that l had been shot as well. I then noticed that my trousers were drenched in blood, and discovered I had been shot in the testicles, the left testicle hung out of the scrotum. I slowly walked to Masasi clinic where staff there refused to attend to me. The nurse in charge said, “We are under strict instructions from the soldiers not to treat anyone shot or injured in the diamond fields.” I eventually got transport to Mutare where l received treatment after three days. I do not know the names of the soldiers but I know for certain they are in No.1 Commando Regiment.112 Local people who spoke to Human Rights Watch said that in joint operations between the army and members of the Police Support Unit, people on several occasions were forcibly transported from Mutare, Birchenough Bridge, and surrounding small towns to fill up the pits and gullies created by diamond miners. According to witnesses, on November 24, 2008, soldiers rounded up 76 people in Mutare, put them on a bus, and took them to Chiadzwa, where they were detained, beaten, and forced to dig for diamonds for the soldiers.113 Muchena and Betera villagers told Human Rights Watch how on November 30, soldiers ordered everyone in their village to dig diamonds for them under armed guard for several days.114 Witnesses said that soldiers routinely force members of the local community, including children and women, to work on the diamond fields for them.115 If anyone resists, they risk torture, beatings, or even death. Villagers told Human Rights Watch how soldiers also beat them for failing to find diamonds, accusing the villagers of pretending not to find the 112 Human Rights Watch interview with local miner P.T., Mutare, February 8, 2009. The doctor who treated this miner confirmed the incident and subsequent treatment. Human Rights Watch interview with doctor T.M., Mutare, February 8, 2009. 113 Human Rights Watch interviews with victims of abuse P.T., B.C., and T.N., Mutare, February 8, 2009. 114 Human Rights Watch interviews with villagers L.M., D.M., C.C., K.B., and L.B., Marange, February 21, 2009. 115 Human Rights Watch interviews with A.T., M.C., and with lawyer A.B., Mutare, February 22, 2009. Diamonds in the Rough 38