Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum: Report on political violence in Bulawayo, Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands paraffin on his property. All his children were beaten and one of them was doused in petrol. Another child sustained head injuries. The house was petrol bombed and his family went into hiding. Two people were taken to hospital and his wife and children are currently in another part of the country. He cannot maintain his job and he has nowhere to live. Newspaper reports – Area: Gokwe On the 12 June it was reported that A ZUD candidate in Gokwe and his campaign manager have fled from the Midlands area after threats from Zanu PF supporters. Gumbo said he had to leave because the police were not taking any action against the culprits. “We cannot campaign because of the threats,” he said. “We had a meeting with the police but they are not helping.” Some ZUD supporters were abducted by suspected Zanu PF members and forced to buy Zanu (PF) party membership cards. Three members of the MDC say police officers watched helplessly while a gang of suspected war veterans and Zanu (PF) supporters tortured them about eight kilometres from Mataga Growth Point in Mberengwa East. The three were among five MDC youth leaders who went to Mberengwa on 3 June to campaign for Sekai Holland, the party's candidate for Mberengwa East. Simbarashe Muchemwa, 25, one of the victims was still in pain as he related their ordeal. He sustained bruises and burns to the back, the crotch and the belly after their tormentors burnt him with plastic. They also whipped him. His torturers are still at large. Muchemwa said their truck ran out of diesel while they were going to Zvishavane. They went back to Mberengwa to buy diesel. Upon their return, they were suddenly surrounded by a gang of strangers. “There were more than 20 men who were very friendly at first. We were surprised when they turned hostile, tied our hands and feet and began kicking and whipping us all over and calling us traitors.” Muchemwa said they asked him about his rural home and when he said that he came from Buhera, they said everyone from Buhera supported the MDC. Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC leader, comes from Buhera. “Some members of the gang undressed me, lit plastic paper and took turns to torture me, Muchemwa said, still in agony. “It was the most painful experience I have ever had. I screamed and pleaded with them to release me but they would not listen. “What hurt me most is that some policemen stopped in a truck while we were being tortured. They did not do anything. “They told us that their leader, Big Chitoro, was coming the following morning to gouge out our eyes and I began planning to escape.” Muchemwa managed to escape during the night. Meanwhile, their torturers released Muchemwa's colleagues and set their truck a Toyota Hilux on fire. A Good Samaritan gave Muchemwa a lift to Zvishavane General Hospital. He said he asked to be discharged on Thursday last week after some people came to the hospital looking for him. Involvement of Zanu (PF) officials It is alleged that the Zanu (PF) candidate for Gokwe Central is involved in organising the Zanu (PF) youths at one of the local bases. In Gokwe North is alleged that a Zanu (PF) candidate is leading Zanu (PF) youths stationed at one of the Council offices. Bases from which the war veterans and their supporters have been operating In Mberengwa the bases are said to be Texas Farm, Bara Farm, a farm said to be owned by a Zanu (PF) member and the Cold Storage Commission at the Mberengwa turn off. These bases are said to be under the leadership of a notorious war veteran named Big Chitoro. In Gokwe the base is alleged to be the Rural District Council offices, which are usually used as the polling station. There were about 71 youths there at the time of the observation.The leaders are said to be the Zanu (PF) candidate for Gokwe central and an ex-combatant. In Gokwe North the base is allegedly the Council offices in Mutora Nembudziya Growth Point. In Gokwe East the base is thought to be the Council offices in Buka. The Zanu (PF) candidate for the area is said to be leading 53 youths stationed at the Council offices there. These youths are not locals. Violence against Zanu (PF) members In its compilation of alleged MDC violence The Sunday Mail (11 June) reported the following incidents in the province from February onwards: At the end of March it is alleged that Sylvester Majekuza, the Midlands North organising secretary and some whites beat up Sebastian Tshuma, a war veteran and member of Zanu (PF).(No details are given of the injuries suffered.) 24