29 • On 3 September at Sengwe Business Centre, T.M., E.M. C.M. and another victim were apprehended by ZANU (PF) youths whilst in a shop. They were bundled into a twin cab 4x4 written that had ZANU (PF) Mash East written on the side. They drove 40 kms until they reached the District’s Heroes Acre. They were shown the graves and told that those buried had died for the Zimbabwe that the MDC supporters wanted to sell to Tsvangirai. They told them to take off their clothes and beat each other up with a whip. The ZANU (PF) supporters told them they were not doing a good job, so they took over and beat them until they could not walk. As they beat them, they accused the MDC supporters of selling the country to the whites. They also verbally abused them, made threats against them and their families, and threatened them with sexual abuse. T.M. was assaulted on both thighs with a sjambok, and slapped on both cheeks. E.M. was assaulted with baton sticks on buttocks and back of thighs. After the assailants had finished beating them, they drove away. T.M. walked to the MDC base for help so he could return for those who could not walk. • On 10 September E.C. went to Chivhu to visit his sick brother and was in the company of his other brother. A group of about eight ZANU (PF) youths took them to the local hall for interrogation. They assaulted E.C. and his brother from about 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. with baton sticks. At about 7 a.m., they were handed over to the army who continued to beat them until 10 a.m. The CIO took over and threatened them. He had abrasions on his back and arms, and arm pain as a result of the attack. • On 10 September T.D. was abducted from his home by a group of seven policemen and later handed over to the CIO (Manwrio, Mukoki, Masocha and Gumbo). They beat him all over the body with baton sticks from about 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. At one time they threw him into the Ziragwe River to drown him. After he was released, he took a bus to Harare. As a result of the attack, he has scars on his leg, back, shoulders and stomach, and experiences pain in his shoulder. The CIO operative, Masocha, was named as a perpetrator of organised violence and torture during the 2000 General Election. Witnesses for the Election Petition There were also a number of persons who sought to testify in the election petition on Chikomba that were threatened or tortured by supporters of ZANU (PF). This violence must count as significant pre-election violence. (These cases were not included in the statistical analysis given in the Conclusions above since they can also be argued to relate to an event different to electioneering). • In April 2000 N.C. saw a group of 15 girls in ZANU (PF) t-shirts at Sadza Growth Point. One of the girls shouted “garwe” and then he found himself surrounded by some young men. One of them kicked him on the left leg and he stumbled, but he managed to escape and ran home. He heard that he was being looked for, and at one time saw a T35 lorry with ZANU (PF) youths watching his house. He began to move from place to place because of fear. He returned to Chikomba on Saturday 11 March 2001 after having submitted statements to lawyers. People had warned him that the police were looking for him and that he should go to the station to surrender. He went to the police on 12 March, and the assistant member in charge opened a book with a list of names. His name was read from the book of “wanted” persons. The police started assaulting him with the help of four others. They beat him with axe handles and a cooking stick. Some also used booted feet and punched him all over the body. They beat him for 20 minutes. They asked him to collect all MDC material and surrender it to them. He left the police station and went to Sadza Hospital where he received treatment. The assistant member in charge who had initiated his beating came to the hospital and harassed the health workers for treating him. He also threatened to shoot N.C. if he left Chikomba without telling him. As a result of the attack, he experiences backache, deafness in right ear, and a painful right arm. AMANI TRUST: Organised Violence and Torture in the Bye-Elections held in Zimbabwe during 2000 and 2001.