ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM

Teaching them a lesson:

A report on the attack on Zimbabwean teachers

Reports of political violence against teachers were recorded in eight of the ten provinces of Zimbabwe. Bulawayo and Harare provinces had no reports of violence against teachers. The incidences recorded in the report do not in any way reflect the actual violence perpetrated against teachers as information collected is in no way exhaustive.

This report covers the period between 1 January 2001 and 31 June 2002. The reports came from three main sources, which are: statements from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum's Legal Unit, statements from partner organisations of the Human Rights Forum, and reports that appeared in the public press. There were a total of 238 violations obtained from 68 reports made by the victims. 51.5 % of the reports were incidents that did not appear in the public press and were reported by the victims themselves. The largest number of violations was recorded in the torture/assault category, which made up 31.5% of the total violations.

The period under study saw the reported closure of 30 schools throughout the country. Most of the reported closures were due to teachers fleeing violence perpetrated against them and their subsequent refusal to go back until their safety was guaranteed. Apart from school closures, teachers were also chased away from their places of employment by either “war veterans” or Zanu PF supporters. The perpetrators would either go to the school where the individual taught and then physically remove them from their places of employment, or just order the transfer of teachers that they suspected to be MDC supporters. Teachers were also threatened with either job loss or personal injury if it was established that they supported MDC. At the highest level, this was done by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stan Mudenge, but it was also done by “war veterans” in Chimanimani, Bikita West, Masvingo Central, Mberengwa West and Zaka East. Some schools were also reportedly used as bases by the Zanu PF militia. These bases were used as torture centres , re-education centres and generally ‘spring boards’ from which they carried out their political activities.

The report also highlights two cases of pregnant teachers who were assaulted for being connected to the opposition MDC. One of the teachers lost her baby shortly after giving birth. The victim claims that her medical records show that the death of her child was due to the repeated assaults she suffered at the hands of war veterans and state agents. From these incidents, it can be concluded that the perpetrators committed violations against any teacher regardless of their sex or condition. It is also important to note that violence against teachers is still on going and that there is an urgent need to address this serious problem.

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Teaching them a lesson:

A report on the attack on Zimbabwean teachers

20 September 2002

A report by the Research Unit of the imbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum

The attack of teachers has been ongoing against the backdrop of violence being perpetrated against civil servants (including district administrators, and nurses) by ruling party (Zanu PF) supporters, “war veterans” and the youth militia. Violence against teachers has continued unabated since June 2000. Violence against teachers has been concentrated in the rural communities where teachers are rightfully considered to be a group that has considerable influence on the communities in which they live. The reported attacks on teachers who support or are suspected of supporting the MDC seems to be a way of limiting their political influence on the rural populace. In July 2001 two ministers are alleged to have issued death threats against student leaders and their principals for supporting the opposition MDC. The threats were issued at a meeting between the ministers, student leaders and principals from Masvingo, Bondolfi and Morgenster teacher training colleges, Masvingo Technical College and Mushagashe Vocational Training College. The meeting was told that the only way that their safety could be guaranteed is if they supported Zanu PF. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stan Mudenge reportedly said:

“You are going to lose your jobs if you support opposition political parties in the presidential election. As civil servants, you have to be loyal to the government of the day. You can even be killed for supporting the opposition and no one would guarantee your safety.”[1]

“We cannot continue to pay our enemies. People have to know which side of their bread is buttered”

The threats came a month after the Deputy Minister of Education, Sports and Culture allegedly said that his ministry would not provide security to teachers affected by violence for supporting the opposition.[2] The threats by the two ministers were seen by ZIMCET Executive Director, David Chimhini, as having exposed civil servants to possible attacks by ZanuPF supporters.

The brutal attack on teachers has had far reaching consequences that go beyond the teachers themselves. Violence also affects the schoolchildren, when, in some instances, they are made to witness scenes of extreme violence such as beatings and torture. Schoolchildren may experience behavioural and emotional reactions after their experience of violence against their teachers, who are supposed to be their guardians in the school environment. The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) says that ‘a climate created by on-going organised violence can also produce generalised feelings of insecurity and uncertainty for children, thus making it impossible for children and youth to feel that they have a future’.

In some instances, school children have become victims during attacks on their schools. In the Midlands province, pupils from five schools were allegedly abducted and taken for re-education classes by “war veterans” and Zanu PF supporters. At Chomuwuya High School “war veterans” reportedly disrupted a prize giving ceremony in October 2001, while in Masvingo “war veterans” are alleged to have disrupted lessons at Rusitu High School. Therefore the addressing of violence against teachers is not only directly beneficial to the victims, but also for the schoolchildren who are also victims indirectly.

This report documents 238 individual cases of human rights abuses against teachers for the 18 month period between January 2001 and June 2002. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum believes the documented evidence that it has collected is merely the tip of a much bigger iceberg, and would wish to draw attention to the many previous cases reported in earlier reports of the Forum. We would also wish to draw attention to these many previous reports, and to note that a communication from the Forum is currently under consideration by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. As the Presidents of South Africa and Nigeria and the Prime Minister of Australia meet in Abuja on Monday, 23 September, to consider the Commonwealth’s response to the Zimbabwe crisis, we hope that they will take into account this new report, as well as all the previous reports, including those specifically submitted to the Abuja initiatives.

Sources: Human Rights Forum legal statements, newspaper reports, Partner Organisation Statements.

Note to the tables

All cases of torture fall under the definition of torture according to the general definition given in the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment.

4. By a state official or another individual acting with the acquiescence of the State.

Those individuals referred to in point # 4 include the ZRP, ZNA, ZPS and the ZNLWVA (as a reserve force of the ZNA) and by any other grouping when directly sanctioned by the state.

Arrest by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) with no reasonable suspicion that an offence has been committed. Detention thereafter for a period exceeding 48 hours without access to redress through the courts or subsequent release without charge.

A kidnapping by a member(s) of an organised group that is not the ZRP organisation eg. Political party, ZNLWVA, ZNA, MDC, Zanu PF etc

Kidnapped persons whose whereabouts remained unknown at the time of reporting. Their whereabouts have still to be ascertained through follow –up reports or further investigation.

These are incidents in which property rights have been violated. This includes arson, property damage and destruction and theft.

Incidents in this report account for eight of the ten provinces in the country. Harare and Bulawayo provinces had no reported incidences of violence against teachers. Masvingo province had the highest number of violations in the abduction, assault and death threats category.

This province had the second highest number of torture and assault cases in the country carried out by Zanu PF supporters, youths and “war veterans”. Cases of state agent involvement were also reported. The CIO were reportedly involved in the torture of a teacher who is the MDC Provincial Vice-Organising Secretary, while another teacher alleged that he was constantly sought by the CIO at his home, until he fled. A pregnant teacher reportedly lost her baby soon after birth after a series of assaults by war veterans, Zanu PF youths and police officers. Her husband is the District Secretary for the MDC in the province. There was one school closure in the province.

A Zanu PF supporter allegedly attacked PM a teacher, with a beer bottle while he was having a drink with five people. One of them, Tafara Taderera, confronted him asking why PM wanted to kill him. Before he could answer he was struck on the left eye with a beer bottle. Taderera then used the broken bottle to scratch him all over his face and head. He suffered facial and head injuries. PM was forced to apply for sick leave from the 18th of February to the 20th of March. The case was reported to the police but no arrests were made. It was not clear why the victim was attacked.

· Fifteen youths clad in police uniforms allegedly assaulted RM, a teacher at Mamunyadza Secondary School with baton sticks all over his body. He suspects that they are youths from the Border Gezi Training Centre for National Youth Service in Mount Darwin. The youths came to the school armed with rifles and asked him what his name was and what post he held within the MDC. When he denied that he held any post, he was ordered to lie down and was severely assaulted. RM was accused of holding a post within the MDC hierarchy and that he was going to receive a truck from the opposition party. The youth barred anyone who wanted to render assistance to RM who could not even walk to the hospital. His wife and child witnessed the assault but managed to escape through the window. The case was not reported to the police.

· Mai Gono, Tapfuma, and unnamed “war veterans” and Zanu PF youths reportedly assaulted AK, a pregnant teacher, because her husband was the District Secretary for MDC. The baby was born on the 29th of June but passed away on the 5th of July 2002. Medical reports attributed the death of the baby to the assault. “War veterans” and youths went to the victim’s school, being led by one Tapfuma, demanding to see her in the middle of a lesson. She was ordered to pack all her belongings and leave the school premises. She was taken to ZanuPF offices in the area and assaulted. One Mai Gondo, a “war veteran”, also assaulted AK with fists and open hands. She managed to dupe the group and escape. On the 26th of June 2002, the police and ‘green bombers’ (National Service Youths) came looking for AK’s husband. They threw teargas at them and fired twice in the air. The officers, who threatened to come back for her, assaulted AK. The officers are from Murambinda and Buhera ZRP, being led by Detective Superintendent Dowa.

· TC was allegedly threatened and ordered to leave Gunde Primary School with immediate effect because she was an MDC supporter. Two Zanu PF youths came to the school alleging that they had been watching her MDC activities for a long time. She was warned that if she didn't leave the school premises she would be dealt with accordingly. She only managed to pack a few things and left the school on the 5th of July leaving behind the rest of her belongings with a friend.

· Teddy Mugwari, Leonard Usavi, Benjamin Mwandifura (teachers) and Godfrey Marongwe (Deputy Headmaster) from Murambinda Secondary School were allegedly accused of supporting MDC and assaulted by “war veterans”. They were ejected from their work places. After the assaults they fled.

· A number of unnamed teachers allegedly received letters from a J. Nyawo (Zanu PF councillor) demanding payment of $500 per head to fund the celebrations for the President’s election victory, which were to be held by the Gukurahundi Youth Group. Teachers in the area were also allegedly being asked to pay a 'protection fee’ for their safety.

· Zanu PF supporters reportedly summoned teachers in Biriwiri to a meeting where they were told that their jobs and lives were at risk if they supported MDC. This was in the wake of the disturbances at Biriwiri and at Charleswood Estate, owned by MDC MP, Roy Bennett, where Zanu PF members were urged to go and seize property.

· The CIO allegedly constantly sought Hamilton Sigauke, a teacher, at his home. Following death threats from the state agents, he fled to Mutare. The MDC and Zanu PF were due to meet in Chimanimani on the 3^rd of April 2002. Villagers in the district claimed that ZanuPF supporters and CIO officers had unleashed terror to punish them for supporting MDC.

· It was alleged that teachers suspected to have voted for MDC from Checheche, Chisumbanje, Gumira, Machona, Rimbi and Vheneka Primary Schools, as well as Rimbi High School were assaulted by “war veterans” and Zanu PF supporters. The schools were forcibly closed resulting in the pupils fleeing for their homes.

· MB, a teacher and the MDC Provincial Vice-Organizing Secretary, was at Maronga School at about 3 pm when he was allegedly approached by a group of six members of the Central Intelligence Organization in Chipinge in a cream Mazda pick-up truck. One of them produced a pistol and ordered him to get into the truck. He pretended that he needed to go into the house but instead escaped. They fired shots at him but missed. Cash in the amount of $ 15 000 which he had withdrawn from the bank was taken from him, as well as shoes, shirts and trousers. As a result of his assault he sustained head injuries and is suffering from stomach pains. His genitals were also kicked. The case was reported to the local police station.

· James Moyana, Chikukwa and six unnamed teachers of Checheche School in Chipinge were allegedly severely assaulted with knobkerries, iron bars, chains, and sticks by Zanu PF supporters. Four of the teachers were admitted to Chipinge hospital with serious injuries, one was unable to walk. The police and the army were called in to restore order. 21 people were arrested. The attacks came two days after a call by Mike Madiro, Zanu PF's Manicaland chair, to weed out traitors to the revolution.

Of the eight provinces, Mashonaland Central had the highest number of teachers that were forced out of their places of employment due to political violence. In Mount Darwin South four teachers were ordered to transfer by “war veterans” and Zanu PF members because they were MDC supporters. In Shamva another four teachers were also ordered to transfer by a group of 30 “war veterans” and Zanu PF youths. The teachers were assaulted prior to being ordered out of the school. The group was camped at Chindunduma Two High School where the school matron gave them food rations. The group also had use of the school’s Nissan truck. In Bindura, Uronga South Primary School was closed after six teachers were severely assaulted by a group of “war veterans” and Zanu PF youths.

· WT, a teacher at Chipadze Secondary School, and PM, were on their way to Trojan in a 504 station wagon when one Dickson Mafiosi, in a defender, allegedly indicated that they wanted to see someone in the 504. PM was asked to get out of the car. On asking why they had pulled them over, Dickson pulled them out of the car and slapped WT on the face. He said they had been looking for him because he was an MDC supporter. Dickson alleged that the then Governor, Elliot Manyika now the Minister of Youth, Gender and Employment Creation, allegedly said they had destroyed WT’s house and that they wanted his blood. They assaulted him with iron bars, clenched fists and booted feet. There were eight people. WT passed out for some time as he had sustained injuries to his head and all over his body. The matter was reported to the police on the 19^th of May 2001.

· A group of “war veterans” and Zanu PF youths reportedly asked teachers at Uronga South Primary School for membership cards. Three teachers who had Zanu PF cards were left alone. The remaining six were severely assaulted in front of their pupils with clenched fists, logs and sjamboks for being opposition supporters as they had failed to produce Zanu PF party cards. The school was closed for three days. Bindura magistrate Feyi Gweshuro Tito sentenced the youths to three years in jail with 9 months conditionally suspended for 5 years. Upon review, Judge George Smith upheld the sentence as appropriate. Furthermore Justice Smith ordered the police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri to investigate the 'moral blameworthiness' of ZNLWVA commander. The judge noted that”

“The use of young men who want land as pawns in the political struggle and to make them go out and assault and intimidate innocent members of the public who are going about their own business, in order to qualify for land, cannot be condoned.”

· AB was on his way to Bindura when he came across a roadblock allegedly mounted by Zanu PF youths. They asked him for a Zanu PF card and, when they found that he did not have one, they slapped him three times. When he went to deliver something at the MDC Women's chairperson's house the next day, the Zanu PF militia accosted him, interrogated him, and then dragged him to his house. There they carried out a search and found an NCA booklet. They took him to their base and attacked him with open hands and a cable. He later managed to escape and fled to Harare.

· In March 2000, “war veterans” and Zanu PF supporters allegedly demonstrated saying they didn't want DM at the school because he was an MDC sympathizer. He was forcibly transferred from the school to one in Upper Guruve and he left his car and other property at the school. When he returned to collect his property, he found that his car had been damaged and therefore had to look for the stolen parts. The looters came back on the 11^th of November 2001 and damaged the vehicle completely, setting it ablaze. The case was reported to Mahuwe Police Station in November. On The 3rd of February 2002, Zanu PF supporters beat up DM for being an MDC supporter. They threatened to kill him if he went back to teach in that area.

· Wellington Mudanwa (Zanu PF Chairman), Mahembe and Tanaka Chibvongodze went to Negomo Secondary School and took OM from his class to the headmaster's office. He was asked about his political affiliation and forced to roll on stones. He suffered multiple injuries. He was then taken to Bowen farm were he was later released. The matter was not reported to the police.

· Zanu PF youths allegedly broke 15 windowpanes and doors at CM's home after the elections and declared that they had taken over the house because the victim belonged to the MDC. The victim, a teacher fled together with his family and he was informed that one Newton Hakata, two Chisi brothers, Sydney Mavhangira, Terrence Nhamburo and Magoro are residing at his home. They are using his property and one of them was seen putting on the victim's jacket. CM owns the house and has been living in it since 1991. He reported the matter at Bindura Police Station to one Constable Dimba. At the time of the report the case was still pending.

· Katikiti, Majoni, Marufu, and Muringai were allegedly ordered to transfer to other schools by Joseph Nembire Nyabvudzi, who is acting Chief Nembire because they were MDC supporters. Acting Chief Nembire, a Zanu PF supporter is alleged to have requested the transfer of the four teachers saying that his MP, Saviour Kasukuwere, had given the Acting Chief power to enlist the help of National Service Youths to remove the teachers who were described as being ‘dangerous’. The Chief, a policeman, is reported to have claimed that the Nembire family was facing serious problems through the political activities of the four. In February 2001, Zvavamwe, Education Officer for Mt. Darwin, was evicted from his house after he had been accused of recruiting MDC supporters as temporary teachers. The letter from the Ministry of Education sanctioning removal stated:

"You are advised that teachers who are not wanted within their employment environment, for whatever reason, should be assisted to transfer to other areas."

· Unnamed teachers and a headmaster were allegedly harassed and assaulted by Zanu PF members. They were forcibly removed from the schools at which they were teaching in compliance with the demands of Zanu PF youths in the area. Teachers were warned that they would be removed from their places of employment if it were proved that they belonged to the MDC.

· Collin Kamarizeni (Deputy Headmaster), Florence Usayi (Senior female teacher), Kennedy Mapondera (Senior male teacher) and an unnamed temporary teacher were allegedly assaulted by a group of “war veterans” and Zanu PF youths. They ordered the transfer of four teachers on allegations that they were MDC supporters. A report was made to the police but no action had been taken at the time of the report. A group of thirty “war veterans” and Zanu PF youths set up a base at Chindunduma Two High School. They were receiving free food rations from the school kitchen. Christine Dhewa, the school matron, also the Zanu PF District Chairperson in the women's league, was allegedly giving the group food and material support. The school head Ella Pawandiwa, allowed the group to use the school's Nissan truck in their terror campaigns in the area. Lakayana Dube, the Mashonaland Regional Director for Education, denied any knowledge of the forced transfers. However it is alleged that Dube facilitated the transfers.

· TZ is MDC District Chairperson while her husband, GT, is the District Co-ordinator in Shamva. In May 2000, the couple was allegedly attacked several times by Zanu PF members. They used stones and at one time used a petrol bomb, which failed to explode. In mid-May 2000, Kwezani, Noah Ndombo, Artwell Chiwara, Themba, Augusto and several others allegedly sent by Mr. Sydney Chiwara and Mr. Mudukuti went to the victim’s home armed with stones, petrol bombs and sticks. They destroyed windowpanes and then set the house on fire. The victims lost all furniture in the dining room and bedroom as well as clothes. They managed to escape through the back door and sought refuge at a friend's place until July (after the parliamentary elections). GT has been forced out of any school he secures employment with. At the time of the report he was not employed having been forced out of his last school in December 2000. In February 2001, Zanu PF members passed through their home throwing empty bottles and destroying the windowpanes. On the 15th of March 2001 at around 8pm, a group of Zanu PF members went to the victims' home singing and chanting slogans. They managed to escape and hid next door with their children. The group destroyed their property and set the house on fire. They lost all property. They eventually escaped to Harare. The matter was reported to Shamva Police Station but no action has been taken as yet.

Four schools were allegedly closed in the province due to disturbances caused by war veterans. It was reported that two bases had been established at Tenda and Mashumba Primary Schools in Gokwe North by Zanu PF militia, and were being used as torture centres. Eight teachers were reported to have been tortured in the whole district, including a pregnant female teacher. In Mberengwa teachers fled from Vutiki High School after pupils had been abducted by war veterans for ‘re-education’ classes.

· “War veterans” and Zanu PF supporters allegedly besieged Mashumba Primary School and attacked teachers, who then fled 40 kms on foot to Zomba. Midlands Regional Director of Education, Isaac Tanyanyiwa, reportedly claimed to be 'unaware' of this and other disturbances in his precinct. The teachers wanted their security guaranteed before returning to the school. Zanu PF militants were reported to be camped at Tenda and Mashumba Primary Schools and to have established torture centres at each of the schools.

· Zanu PF supporters and “war veterans” reportedly disrupted a prize-giving ceremony and assaulted 3 teachers at Chomuwuyu High School. Midlands Regional Director of Education, Isaac Tanyanyiwa, reportedly claimed to be 'unaware' of this disturbance. The teachers wanted a security guarantee before returning to the school.

· Two schools in Sanyati were allegedly closed after an unspecified number of pupils were abducted to a war veterans’ base in Gokwe. These schools were among seven schools in Kwekwe and Kadoma districts closed under similar circumstances

· “War veterans” and Zanu PF supporters allegedly assaulted five unnamed teachers at Sanyati and Nyamatsane Primary Schools with sticks when they failed to produce ZanuPF party cards and chant party slogans. A report was made to Sanyati (Arda) Police Post but no action was taken. One of the teachers who were assaulted was pregnant.

· TH was allegedly abducted at midnight by a large number of Zanu PF youths. The victim and a friend, DT, were coming from Mataga Growth Point with the intent of making final wedding preparations. As they approached Mundi Bridge they met the youths who demanded that they stop. They asked them to produce Zanu PF cards, searched them and used TH's belt to tie his hands. They were taken to their base at Chingoma Secondary School where they were questioned. They vowed that DT who was supposed to get married the next day would not do so. TH failed to answer several of the questions that they asked and was slapped for this. They were then taken to an empty water tank and tortured. TH sustained chest injuries and bruises on back. They managed to sneak out of the school when their friends arrived and chased the assailants away. The following morning the victims were dumbfounded to find that the police were filing charges of public violence against them. They were taken into custody and spent the next 6 days in the police cells under terrible conditions. TH developed heat rash due to poor ventilation in the cells.

· Pupils of Vutika High School preparing for “O” and “A” level examinations were allegedly forced to attend ‘pungwes’ and undergo political ‘re-education’ conducted by “war veterans” and Zanu PF supporters. Teachers Gumbo, Marufu and V. Moyo and Hove the Headmaster, were victimised and had their property destroyed. After the incident they fled from the school. The perpetrators include Walter Mucheregwa (ZNLWVA, teacher), Divine Chitoro and Nyasha Koke.

· “War veterans” and Zanu PF supporters allegedly accused Kudawashe Matsheza and Johnson Zhou of supporting MDC. The two were assaulted and threatened on the basis of these accusations. They then fled the area.

· “War veterans” allegedly attacked SG because he assisted his brother in running as the MDC candidate for the Gutu North Parliamentary seat in June 2000. He applied for a letter of transfer from the Ministry of Education. His brother was running for the Gutu North Parliamentary seat in 2000. The victim returned to the school on the 9^th of February but the situation was tense so he went away. When he went back the “war veterans” threatened him again and he had to leave on the day in question. SG has not been able to go back to work and payment of his salary has been ceased. The Ministry of Education has said that they will facilitate a transfer for him. Zimta is also assisting with the application for transfer.

· Unnamed teachers from Zhombe Primary and Tenda High schools fled to Gweru after “war veterans” allegedly abducted pupils from these schools to a base in Gokwe. The two schools were among seven schools in Kwekwe and Kadoma districts closed under similar circumstances.

· AM, a teacher at Mhondongore School and an MDC supporter gave testimony in court in February 2001 in the MDC cases. The following Monday the case was reported in the public press. The “war veterans” in his community allegedly started harassing him and claimed that he showed his allegiance to MDC by testifying in their case they held a meeting at which he was sent packing from the school. The victim alleges that he went to the Ministry of Education but they refused to help.

The province was characterised by incidents of teachers being forced to contribute towards independence celebrations and the President's birthday celebrations.

· Zanu PF supporters allegedly went to BM's homestead. The victim was however not at home. They threatened his brother-in-law with death. They claimed that an MDC meeting was taking place at his homestead. They broke down the door and searched underneath beds, wardrobes and threw clothes around. They threatened to burn the house down. The victim had to ask his wife to take their three children and go to her rural home for their own safety. No report was made to the police as Inspector Mpofu, the Member in Charge, is a “war veteran”, and “war veterans” and Zanu PF supporters previously assaulted the victim.

· Mucheneripi Chikato, Jairos Mutasa and two other Zanu PF supporters allegedly went to NW's residence armed with sticks and stones. The victim managed to flee the area together with his wife before they could attack him.

· VM and AK from Hwedza High School were members of MDC, ZimRights, NCA and ZESN based at Hwedza. In January 2000 they were allegedly forced to stop supporting the MDC and did so, but continued their association with the other organisations. In July, “war veterans”, being led by Chirinda, allegedly went to the school where the victims teach and started singing and chanting slogans. VM and AS hid in the schoolyard. The “war veterans” told the headmaster that the teachers had to leave the area, as their services were no longer required in Hwedza. The headmaster then communicated this to the District Education Officer. The victims and others telephoned NCA and they were provided with transport to leave the area. A report was made at Hwedza Police Station but no action was taken.

· A group of about 10 youths allegedly went to JM's house and asked to see his son, TM. One of the youths was wearing a black t-shirt with Border Gezi's face on it. He asked the others to search the house and during the search a wall clock and JVC Video Cassette Recorder were dropped and damaged. A report was made at Dombotombo Police Station, Marondera.

· Teachers from Mutoko High School, Mutoko Government Secondary School and Donzwa Primary School were allegedly forced to contribute $100 each towards President Mugabe's Birthday Celebration and $50 towards Independence Day Celebrations. Female teachers were forced to contribute an additional $100 each towards the Women's League and were threatened with unspecified action if they failed to pay.

· At 7pm, PM, some ex-combatants called a temporary teacher at Chidiye Primary School, for supper at another teacher’s house. He agreed and while he was eating they started to accuse him of being an MDC supporter. They then assaulted him using sticks, firewood and open hands. This lasted throughout night. The people who were involved were Nyamukapa and other youths whose names are unknown to the victim. He then passed out and came to the next morning. He reported the matter on 22 February 2002 at Mutoko Police Station.

· Zanu PF supporters assaulted GM for supporting the MDC. He was ordered to attend a Zanu PF meeting, where Cde Nyamande accused him of supporting the MDC and of insulting and castigating ZanuPF supporters. He is alleged to have campaigned for MDC during the June 2000 elections and to have organised strikes in Harare. He was taken up a hill by the youths who assaulted him with sticks. GM sustained injuries all over his body and passed out. When he regained consciousness he was taken to Mutoko Hospital and then to Avenues Clinic. He was forced to go on sick leave from 8 May to 24 July 2001 because of the injuries he sustained. Kaitano, who was absent when the assaults were occurred, was leading the youths.

· CH was demoted from being acting Head of Department at Mugabe Secondary School and denied promotion for refusing to support Zanu PF. He was harassed at work by the headmaster and fellow teachers who are Zanu PF supporters. His wife was forced to join Zanu PF, which led to the breakdown of the marriage. He was forced out of school housing and spent 18 days sleeping in the bush, without food for seven of these days. He took the matter up legally with Felix Muzawazi of Muzawazi and Partners. The Education Regional Director for Mashonaland East Province responded by freezing his Beverly Account (No 3625843A and Pass Book No. 23615). An urgent chamber application was made by his lawyer to have the account unfrozen and the High Court granted this following which the Ministry complied. They were supposed to transfer the victim from the school and promote him to teach ‘A' level but they returned him to the same school. The victim had to run away as he alleges that the CIO officers were after him. He stayed at Murehwa hotel for one night, but moved out and stayed in the bush after some people tried to force the door down and gain access to his hotel room. CH alleges that he was informed that his name was going to be cancelled from the pay sheet.

This province has the highest number of political intimidation cases in the country. The province was also characterised by threats coming from a top government official. The Governor, Obert Mpofu, was reported to have threatened teachers at Sawmill Primary School in Nyamandlovu, who supported the MDC, that they would be thrown out of the province. Some teachers in Tsholotsho were allegedly transferred due to their support of the opposition MDC.

· Teachers at Sawmill Primary School in Nyamandlovu were allegedly threatened by Obert Mpofu, the Matabeleland North Governor, for supporting the opposition. They were told that they would be thrown out of the province.