Case7 23 year old male, Harare. History “It was at about 2am this morning, Wednesday 4th June, 2003 and we had just arrived home from a bar. We heard the sound of a truck outside and then footsteps. I recognised a guy from the Youth Militia called Prince – he was dressed in camouflage uniform. He was with other men in uniform. They forced their way into our home and started beating us with batons. They were saying that they were providing us with the final push. They stole cash and three cell phones and they told us to vanish from the premises otherwise face death. Then they left.” Examination Findings The patient had multiple linear haematomas on his back and shoulders, and moderate bruising of both buttocks and posterior thighs. Case 8 50 year old woman from Western Triangle, Highfield, Harare, Zimbabwe. History “On Tuesday 3rd June, 2003 I was asleep in my home when I heard a knock at the door and windows being broken. The front door was then forced open. I was asked where Last was. I said he was out. There was only my grandchild with me. They asked where my friend Mamoyo was and what I did when I went to MDC. They then started beating me. There seemed to be many people, some dressed in camouflage uniform, some in Police riot uniform. They were carrying batons, whips and guns. Two of the men beat me with batons and whips on my back, legs and buttocks and hit me on the chest with the rifle butt. They were saying “who gives you money?” I told them that all I did was campaign for my Councillor. They then took me to a house nearby to look for my fellow worker. I was told to sit outside. A soldier then came and spoke to me in Ndebele while another one said “let her go”. Examination Findings The patient had multiple linear abrasions across her back consistent with being whipped, and deep haematomas of both buttocks and posterior thighs consistent with being assaulted repeatedly with blunt objects. She also complained of chest pain and was clinically tender over her anterior lower chest wall, but with no visible bruising, and no fractures of her ribs on X-ray.