34 Despite independent medical verification that these journalists had been severely tortured the Defence Minister, Moven Mahachi, made the ridiculously suggestion in a High Court case that the two journalists had “scratched themselves.” In September 2006, speaking about the police assaults upon the ZCTU leaders who were trying to engage in a peaceful public demonstration, President Mugabe said: "They [protesters] will be beaten up, so there is no apology for that ...We cannot have a situation where people decide to sit in places not allowed and when the police remove them, they say no,” said Mugabe. “We can’t have that; that is a revolt to the system. Others are crying that we were beaten up, yes you would be beaten up. When the police say move, move. If you don’t move, you invite the police to use force.” (Source: Herald 25 September 2006) On Sunday 11 March 2007 leaders of the opposition and civil society leaders sought to defy a police ban on holding a “prayer meeting”. Several of these people were arrested by the police, including Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the main opposition party. Most of these persons were severely tortured whilst in police custody. Many had bone fractures. President Mugabe was completely unrepentant about this torture, stating publicly: “If they [protest] again, we will bash them again." Source: Zimonline 19 March 2007) He said a continued campaign of defiance or protests by opponents and civic and church groups would be met "very vigorously" by security forces. "We hope they have learned a lesson. If they have not, then they will get similar treatment.” (Source: International Herald Tribune 31 march 2007) On 30 March 2007 President Mugabe told supporters that MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai had deserved a recent beating by police. He had told fellow African leaders at a summit last week that his arch rival had deserved to be assaulted. Addressing a rally in Shona, Mugabe said of Thursday's summit of the Southern African Development Community in Tanzania: "Yes, I told them he was beaten but he asked for it. We got full backing, not even one (leader) criticised our actions. “Yes, I told them the African heads of state he was beaten, but he asked for it. I told the police, beat him a lot.' He and his MDC must stop their terrorist activities." (Source: Sunday Herald UK 31 March 2007.) In April 2007 President Mugabe said "These things happen. It happens in war. It happens everywhere. If you challenge the police don't think they are going to be merciful with you," he said, alleging that Tsvangirai supporters had beaten a group of police. "So the police had that grudge also. They are also human beings. Let us bear that in mind," he added, warning Their words condemn them: The language of violence, intolerance and despotism in Zimbabwe.