clipped from: news.bbc.co.uk 
According to Maidei, the abuse tends to happen at night-time vigils, called "pungwes".
A local Zanu-PF official explained to me that the pungwes, used during the war of independence, were still necessary as "political re-orientation" exercises to warn people "against the opposition which is backed by the West".
Asked about the allegations that men were raping women and girls forcibly at the meetings, he replied matter-of-factly: "We have to share in comradeship as we have the same aim to get rid of the opposition here."
He confirmed that the young and beautiful women were often identified at the meetings and made to stay on with the group leaders.
Whilst captive, Maidei said that she felt her parents were safe from attack.
Asked whether she would report the rapes when released, she said it would depend on the political landscape after the elections.
"I am living in fear," she said.
