Opposition reprisals in Zimbabwe

It is thought opposition activists are taking revenge for earlier beatings

Zimbabwean opposition activists returning from South Africa have driven supporters of President Robert Mugabe from their homes.

The incidents, close to Zimbabwe's border with South Africa, followed accusations of torture and arson attacks by war veterans.

Youths loyal to the opposition have now have now launched retaliatory attacks against the veterans.

Police were allegedly informed of the beatings but took no action.

The war veterans have been the most loyal supporters of President Robert Mugabe and played a key part in his victory in the final round of the presidential elections.

Three weeks ago, the Zimbabweans in South Africa - known as Injiva in the local Ndebele language - issued warnings to war veterans and the ruling Zanu-PF to stop harassing and killing their relatives in rural areas.

A BBC contributor says that in Matabeleland province more than 60% of young people work in South Africa and whenever they come home, there is chaos in the villages as the crime rate increases.

This time, he says, their targets were the war veterans.

Last week the Injiva returned from South Africa and were told of the destruction caused by the war veterans and the youth militia, our contributor adds.

Some of the Injiva were armed with pistols which were brought into the country illegally.

According to villagers in Plumtree, about 100km south of Bulawayo, dozens of war veterans were injured during the raids on their bases by Injiva.