country. Many of the MDC party co-ordinators are under threat of violence or arrest and are in hiding, so communication with victims is difficult, and there are reports of many more victims than those that have reached medical treatment to date. Doctors in the district hospitals are under threat. Perpetrators include ZANU PF “war vets” ZANU PF youth and supporters, riot squad police and uniformed soldiers. The identity of many of the perpetrators is known and has been recorded. The police have acted appropriately in several cases, taken reports from the victims and requested medical affidavits of injuries sustained by them. The victims are from many different districts, including Harare, Beatrice, Chinhoyi, Chipinge, Gweru, Karoi, Hurungwe, Marondera, Masvingo, Matepatepa, Mudzi, Mutoko, Mutoroshanga, Mutare, Penhalonga, Nyabira,Nyanga. The number of casualties reported and seeking treatment daily has increased substantially, and although initially the majority of casualties were in the rural areas, the violence in the high-density areas of Harare has increased greatly, with many people in high density areas being set upon and severely beaten by soldiers. The majority of the victims are from the rural areas. Over 90% are active members of the MDC and were targeted for their activities during the run up and during the elections e.g. they are party officials or polling agents, or their spouses and children. Observer cards and ID cards have been taken from polling agents by perpetrators, and election observers have also become a frequent target. Farm workers have been targeted during farm invasions. In the rural areas, many of the beatings have been administered in front of the victim’s whole village, and some victims were forced to simulate sexual acts in public. In several instances gunshots were fired in the air, and, in Gokwe, one casualty was shot. Rifle butts are being used as weapons of torture. In one incident four victims were deliberately rundown by a motor vehicle bearing ZANU PF logos. The casualties were then prevented from seeking medical treatment for over twelve hours. In Karoi, one man was stabbed to death on 13 April, and his brother was brutally assaulted. It is made very clear to the victims that they are being punished for voting “incorrectly”. Victims report being forced to chant ZANU PF slogans after beatings. During the torture many of the victims report receiving death threats unless they vote correctly in the next round of the Presidential Election. Many of the victims also had their homes, food reserves and livestock destroyed, and are displaced. On one day alone, over 80 victims of displacement required shelter in Harare. 7