our escape. The police were in plain clothes, eight of them armed with rifles and pistols. I have no idea why the police want to arrest me. I am tired of living in hiding, feeling helpless and unable to work in my constituency to improve the lives of people who voted me into office. I am staying in the bush, not working and being hunted by ZANU-PF thugs day and night. We are fugitives in our own country.31 Attacks and Beatings In the days before the June 27 runoff, many MDC activists were abducted and brutally beaten and tortured by ZANU-PF supporters, youth militia and “war veterans.” Their families were also victimized and subjected to similar torture and beatings. Harrison Mudzuri – MDC MP for Zaka Central Constituency On June 24, a group of armed soldiers and ZANU-PF youths attacked the home of Harrison Mudzuri. Mudzuri told Human Rights Watch: The armed soldiers and ZANU-PF youths arrived at my home at around 4 a.m. and cut the fence to gain entry. They shot a security guy guarding the house. They shot him twice, once in the left thigh and the other in the right thigh. Many shots were fired; after they had gone, we recovered 54 empty spent bullet shells from what we believe were AK47 rifles. Seven people were beaten and seriously injured including my 80-year-old father. They destroyed all our household property and stole whatever they could. The house was left bare. Everything was destroyed.32 Ernest Jena – Lawyer Representing the MDC, Bindura Ernest Jena, a lawyer who had represented MDC activists in Bindura, Mashonaland Central province, was abducted on June 24 by ZANU-PF activists, and spent two days 31 Human Rights Watch interview with Pineal Denga, Harare, July 10, 2008. 32 Human Rights Watch interview with Harrison Mudzuri, Harare, July 5, 2008. 17 Human Rights Watch August 2008