in the past documented numerous incidents in which CIO agents have been implicated in abductions, beatings and torture of civil society activists and perceived MDC supporters.65 Local groups, including Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and Zimbabwe Peace Project, have since 0ctober 2012 documented an increase in the number of politically motivated human rights violations involving CIO agents. Often this involved torture that took place in police detention. In most cases, victims identified the perpetrators as CIO agents as they often introduced themselves as members of the CIO, and the fact that only state agents, or the police, have access to detainees in police custody, for purposes of interrogation.66 In some cases, CIO members have participated directly in ZANU-PF politics through occupying senior positions in the party. For instance, questions have been raised by MPs in parliament on why three CIO members maintain political party positions as ZANU-PF central committee members while still in full-time employment of the state.67 Despite two formal requests in parliament by MDC MPs in 2011 and 2012, the minister responsible for state security, a ZANU-PF member, has not responded.68 Human Rights Watch, Perpetual Fear – Impunity and Cycles of Violence in Zimbabwe, March 2011, http://www.hrw.org/reports/2011/03/08/perpetual-fear. 65 66 Zimbabwe Peace Project Monthly Monitor Reports October, November 2012. “Votes and proceedings of the House of Assembly,” Parliament of Zimbabwe, Fourth Session – Seventh Parliament, September 4, 2012. The named CIO agents are: Tabeth Kanengoni from Mashonaland Central, Jesca Chidza from Manicaland and Lazma Humber from Manicaland. 67 68 Human Rights Watch interview with MDC MP Shepherd Mushonga, Harare, November 16, 2012. 29 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH │ MAY 2013