Many were beaten, some unconscious. Several teachers were hospitalised and three headmasters are still missing. By the standards of Zimbabwe's increasingly brutal election campaign, Chimanimani got off lightly at the weekend. President Robert Mugbe's ruling Zanu-PF had done its job. Today, Chimanimani, a quiet, prosperous town on Zimbabwe's eastern mountains is half deserted.
Most people avoid speaking to outsiders.
Next stop on the gang's tour was the Border Timbers estate and lumber mill. After several workers were beaten and management was threatened, the company decided to close down all operations. The company has since re-opened. Mr Mugabe's men also in vaded the farm of the MDC parliamentary candidate for Chimanimani, Roy Bennett. But he left Chimanimani with his wife, Heather, after the war veterans had held her hostage for several hours.