The incident happened on the evening of 15 May, when Maregere was away. When he returned the following morning, he found that his wife had been badly beaten by Zanu PF supporters. The elder three of the Maregere’s six children and a cousin were also assaulted and their home and crops had been burnt to the ground. The Zanu (PF) supporters, armed with pickhandles and sjamboks, had arrived at the house demanding to know Mr Maregere’s whereabouts. When they found he was not at home, they began an aggressive interrogation of his wife, beating her throughout. One of the gang threatened to kill her. The group then went through the village searching for Maregere and beating other villagers and relatives. Another interviewee witnessed the burning of Maregere’s home. He was ordered to empty his bag and show his "MDC things". He was beaten with pickhandles and he had visible wounds on his back at the time of the interview. When they found he had nothing of a political nature, he was robbed.

Assaults upon Teachers and Civic Activists
Attacks upon teachers are not only directed at opposition supporters, but appear now to be part of a policy against those who have the capacity to inform their communities. It may also be that educated individuals are regarded as a threat because they are capable of exercising their choice at the ballot box without succumbing to the belief which is spreading across some rural communities that Zanu PF will know which individuals have voted for the opposition, and will target them after the elections.

The two teachers interviewed by the project last week were both involved with the opposition, but they were also able to speak of the intimidation which has affected their colleagues as well as of their own experiences. Mr Mpofu described the assaults upon teachers at Chitimbe school in UMP, Mashonaland East. He is a supporter of MDC, who had helped the party to campaign on one occasion. He left the province for Harare when the violence began, but his car which was left behind was burnt. He also told of how his two friends, both teachers, were badly beaten and left for dead. The wife of one of them was raped. Some of the perpetrators were arrested, but later released having been fined $500 for common assault, although the man suspected of rape is thought to be still on remand. A teacher from Shamva, who is also an MDC member reported a series of attacks which ended with his home being burnt down. He has had to leave the area for Harare in fear of his life.

Many teachers have had to flee their homes and take emergency leave from their jobs. Schools in some areas are unable to function as a result. A project monitor in Mashonaland West reports that Mudzimu Secondary School has not been opened because of threats to the teachers. A number of schools in Mashonaland East have also been affected.

An incident described by a staff member of Amani Trust who is working on an agricultural project in Mount Darwin confirms just how vulnerable teachers are to accusations of opposition involvement.

Those working for human rights organisations are equally viewed as a threat to Zanu (PF) support in some areas. The ZimRights representative in Mashonaland East described how his brother, also a member of ZimRights was picked up by the war veterans and Zanu (PF) supporters who are operating from the ZexCom offices in Murehwa centre. This office has been named as a notorious torture house and militia camp by several other people from Murehwa where suspected opposition supporters are taken on a regular basis.