Lovemore Machengedzera is an opposition MDC activist. That's his real name. Unusually for this column I can give it, because, as MDC youth treasurer, he is a seasoned target for Mugabe's hit men. Twice before he suffered at their hands. The third time came last month. Here is a literally blow-by-blow account of how it feels to be picked up by a Zimbabwe government goon squad. Lovemore tells his story exclusively to The First Post:
"I was leaving my home on March 31, around midday. It was a Friday. As I was getting into my car a white Nissan Sunny passed by, and I vaguely recognised it as a car I had seen following me earlier in the day.
"As I began to drive off, a Mitsubishi double-cab pulled in front of me, blocking my way. Then the Sunny pulled up behind me. I was blocked in.
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A seasoned veteran of beatings by Mugabe’s hitmen explains why he is prepared to die |
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"My passenger door was jerked open, and a man in dark shades climbed in. He pointed a handgun at me, then hit me in the face. Then he lowered his gun to nestle the barrel in my groin.
"'Switch off your phone. Close the windows. Follow the double-cab,' he ordered. I did as he said. We drove directly to Harare Central Police Station.
"I was not officially arrested. My belongings - my cellphone, passport, some money - were taken from me, but not recorded. I was thrown into a filthy cell. During this time whenever I protested I was beaten with batons and fists. They hit me all over, but their favourite targets were the soles of my feet, my buttocks and my groin. Twice I lost consciousness.
"I was then ignored until Monday, when I was accused of financing recent petrol bombings. I denied it, 
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