memorandum listed many incidences of violence by youth militia in the previous year, including the murder of seven MDC members.

ONE BOY'S STORY

Orbert, 24, went through the camp system in 2001, emerging as leader of a militia unit used to terrorise MDC supporters. This is his story.

"I joined up with hundreds of other boys because I had no choice. It was go through what they called national service training or die unemployed. I was sent to a camp in the south where I was held captive for six months. It was very heavily guarded.

"Our day started at 2am with a long run, followed by endless physical drills. If anyone fell out or collapsed they were beaten with sticks and plastic rods.

"Classes were usually just hours of sloganeering and singing Zanu-PF songs. The basic lesson we were

A camp has already been set up. Critics
say it’s the Hitler Youth all over again

taught was that anyone who did not agree with the policies of Robert Mugabe deserved to die.

"There was a hostel for girls at the camp, who were used as a reward for us if we did well. After a while the camp commander, a man called Sibanda, gave me the go-ahead to take my pick. I was allowed to go to the hostel at midnight, pick out any girl I liked and rape her. Sibanda told me it was okay because it would make the girls stronger.

"Sometimes people who supported the opposition were brought into the camp to be punished. I remember one man who was pushed to the floor, had pepper sprinkled in his eyes and then we all took turns to kick him. I left the camp before the presidential election in 2002, and I was put in charge of a youth group in Harare. Our job was to terrorise anyone who was hostile to Zanu-PF and President Mugabe."