Deaths
On 1 June in Bikita East Thadeus Runkuni, one of the MDC’s prospective candidates for Bikita East, was beaten to death at his home. His relatives say he was attacked by a gang who sang Zanu (PF) songs as they delivered the fatal blows. The police first confirmed that he had been killed by Zanu (PF) supporters but later retracted this and claimed that he had died as a result of a domestic dispute.

Assaults on MDC personnel
On 21 June at Nyikavanhu Mr. Rioga, MDC candidate for Masvingo South, and another MDC member, Mr. Gwatinyanya, were severely assaulted by war veterans. Mr. Rioga had to be admitted to the Intensive Care unit of Masvingo Hospital, and had to be airlifted to Harare later, where he is in coma. He is still recovering from his injuries.

Attacks on teachers
In the Mwenezi area Neshuro primary and secondary schools and Mushava primary and secondary schools were closed as violence intensified and female teachers had been reportedly raped. The veterans have continued demanding the removal of five teachers at Mapanzure Secondary School, south of Masvingo, who they accuse of being staunch MDC supporters. Beatings also took place at several schools in the Mataga area of Masvingo. In early June Edmore Hwarare the leader of the war veterans, occupying commercial farms in Masvingo and Midlands provinces threatened teachers with death. He was addressing a meeting between the war veterans and teachers in Masvingo.

In May health workers reported threats to staff at Masvingo.

Other incidents
Other incidents to be reported in this area include:

4 June, Masvingo
The leader of the war veterans occupying commercial farms in Masvingo and Midlands Provinces, Mr. Edmore Hwarare, said that ex-combatants would never accept election results if the opposition would win; he added that the MDC should train soldiers to fight the Zanu (PF) if it wanted to rule the country.

8 June, Gutu
The CFU reports that during a Star Rally President Mugabe said that if farmers try and resist war veterans taking their farms they (the war veterans) will kill them.

8 June, Gutu
The MDC candidate for Gutu North, Mr. Crispa Musoni, fled his home after receiving death threats from war veterans and supporters of his rival in the area, Vice-President Simon Muzenda. They tried to smash into his vehicle, and minutes of a meeting showed that they planned to abduct his wife and child.

9 June, Chivi
Zanu (PF) party has admitted that political violence that rocked Chivi district recently was perpetrated by its supporters. An army truck was used and teachers' houses were destroyed; but it added that the perpetrators were supporters of the Zanu (PF) candidates that went Independent after losing the primaries.

9 June, Makoni North
The MDC candidate for Makoni North, Valentine Ziswa, has pleaded for help from the international observers following a rise in threats and violence against him, his family and supporters.

10 June, Chivi
A supporter of Zanu (PF) has been stabbed to death during a scuffle with an MDC supporter, a report that has been confirmed by the police.

13 June, Gutu
Zanu (PF) youths have beaten up and injured MDC supporters at Mutero Catholic Mission.

15 June, Chikombedzi
45 MDC supporters went on the rampage, throwing missiles at the Chiredzi South Zanu (PF) candidate's house at Chikombedzi business centre. It is interesting to note that with the vast majority of the violence coming from Zanu (PF) supporters, and hardly anyone being picked up by police, this group of MDC supporters was picked up immediately, and also refused bail on June 20.

15 June, Mwenezi
Hundreds of war veterans and Zanu (PF) supporters launched a door-to-door campaign here, confiscating national identity cards and passports from villagers suspected to be MDC supporters. Without identity papers a person is not issued with a ballot paper.

15 June Chikombedzi
45 MDC at a business centre supporters mostly youths went on the rampage throwing stones at the house of Chiredzi South Zanu (PF) candidate, Aaron Baloyi. Windows were broken and a car was damaged. Property worth $64 000 was destroyed.

19 June, Chiredzi
Two shop assistants at Tshovani Business Centre were injured by Zanu (PF) supporters and war veterans after their shop was attacked by a group led by Mr. Mutemachani, who was looking for MDC supporters.