8 All of these incidents of violence had a serious impact on the populace. The total picture revealed door-to-door intimidation, assaults with knives, hoes, picks, sticks and guns, arson attacks, crushing palms, destruction of property, vandalism, confiscation of IDs, forced attendance at rallies and forcibly making residents wear party T-shirts. Many of the youth in Bikita West who were targeted as suspected MDC supporters fled into the mountains and did not vote. Members of the older generation, who are most susceptible to torture and intimidation because of their knowledge of previous waves of violence, reported voting so that the ‘war’ would be over and their children could return. One widespread tactic used by Zanu(PF) party supporters was a ruse to identify and assault opposition supporters. A popular tactic employed in the constituency entailed ruling party supporters waving an open hand, the MDC symbol, at passers-by. If a response was given, indicating support for the MDC, that person was beaten. Unproven reports exist which speculate that this method led to the death of Bernard Gara who allegedly misunderstood the hand signal. This goes against the popular notion that MDC extremists killed him 14. Many other incidents of violence were reported in the run-up period. In early January, 80 MDC supporters had their homes burnt down by Zanu (PF) supporters and war veteran militias. 15 On 6 January, Zanu (PF) supporters assaulted MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai’s driver, Mr. Sanganayi, while Tsvangirai was addressing a rally. 16 A few days later the parents of MDC MP Job Sikhala, alleged to have been involved in the Bikita-West unrest, were assaulted at their home in St. Mary’s.17 And in a sign of the chaos that gripped Bikita-West before the election, Zanu (PF) supporters, Priscilla Bengura and Tellme Chirume, were assaulted by other Zanu (PF) supporters and war veterans after they were mistaken for MDC youth. They were admitted to Silveira Mission and treated for their injuries.18 MDC candidate Bonnie Pakai survived an attempt on his life in early January, after his entourage was ambushed in Nyika by CIO members. 19 A pre-election report issued by ZESN highlighted at least twenty attacks before the end of December. Most victims reported being assaulted during door-to-door campaigns of terror initiated by Zanu (PF) supporters and war veteran militias under cover of darkness. In one case, a victim had his door broken down at night and was assaulted in his own house. He was beaten, blindfolded, and dragged to a car. He was then taken to the mountains where he was beaten with tree branches. Finally, he had the palm of his hand crushed by assailants because they claimed it was used to flash the MDC symbol of the open hand.20 In another incident unnamed MDC supporters were told by war veterans to get into a twin-cab driven by Zanu (PF) Chikomba MP and war veteran leader Chenjerai Hunzvi. The MDC supporters were then assaulted and thrown from the moving vehicle.21 As the campaign season wore on, lawlessness and violence continued. Teachers at the Gumunyu and Gwindingwi schools in Bikita refused to return to their jobs after being threatened with death by a local war veteran militia. The militias and Zanu (PF) supporters accused the teachers of campaigning for the MDC. Reports indicate that the militias tortured the teachers after the elections.22 Activities at the Nerumedzo School in Bikita were also disrupted in January. Zanu (PF) supporters, war veteran militias and ZRP members came to the school in 15 twin-cabs and three ZRP Defender vehicles. Many young boys were beaten for being MDC supporters. They were 14 See ZESN (2001), Bikita West 2001 Parliamentary By-election Report, HARARE: ZESN. The Zimbabwe Independent, 12/1/01 16 ibid. 17 Daily News, 12/1/01 18 The Herald, 16/1/01 19 Daily News, 9/1/01 20 See ZESN (2001), Bikita West 2001 Parliamentary By-election Report, HARARE: ZESN. 21 ibid. 22 Daily News, 23/1/01 15 AMANI TRUST: Organised Violence and Torture in the Bye-Elections held in Zimbabwe during 2000 and 2001.