Amnesty International has this evening revealed that 12 bodies have been found in various areas of Zimbabwe. Most of the victims appear to have been tortured to death by their abductors.

They were allegedly abducted by ZANU-PF supporters who, in some instances, were accompanied by armed men believed to be government agents.

Four of the victims were reportedly abducted yesterday from the home of Mr Chipiyo, an MDC councillor-elect in Chitungwiza by ZANU-PF youths. One of the victims is Archford Chipiyo the son of the MDC councillor-elect.

Five bodies were found in Masvingo province, while two were found in Gokwe district in the Midlands province, and one was found dumped in Harare. Another victim died in Harare today in hospital of injuries sustained from beatings by ZANU-PF youths when she attended a funeral of a relative in Buhera.

Amnesty International has also received information from eyewitnesses that soldiers are going about threatening villagers with guns, instructing them to vote for President Mugabe on 27 June.

Amnesty International said:

“The Zimbabwean government must publicly denounce all acts of violence by ZANU-PF supporters, ‘war veterans’ and soldiers, and work with all political parties to end political violence immediately.

“It should also withdraw soldiers who have been deployed in rural and urban areas, and are instigating attacks against people perceived to be supporters of the MDC.”

Amnesty International also called on leaders of the South Africa Development Community to convene an emergency summit to address the deteriorating security situation in Zimbabwe.