Currently, Mr Gwenzi is living in Swansea while he waits for his appeal hearing at the end of October.

Mr Gwenzi arrived in a UK airport last December where he was stopped by immigration officials.

His claim for asylum was refused, but he said he was desperate to stay in this country because he feared for his life.

People were being kidnapped, tortured and murdered

Ronald Gwenzi

"It all started in 1999 when I became involved with the MDC, the opposition party," said Mr Gwenzi, who lived in Bulawayo, in the south west of the country.

"I helped with the security at the political rallies - making sure the area was safe.

"The political tensions at the time were growing worse and there was fighting.

"People were being kidnapped, tortured and murdered by war veterans that supported Robert Mugabe's party.

"I began having some serious difficulties because of my involvement with the MDC," he said.

Morgan Tsvangirai is the leader of the MDC

Mr Gwenzi claimed that, following threats, he was kidnapped and beaten.

"I was stopped in the middle of the road by a woman asking for help.

"I found myself surrounded by about 20 men.

"I was beaten and taken to a room. They beat me during the four days I was there," he said.

Following his ordeal, Mr Gwenzi, who was training to be an accountant, gave up his political activity.

But within months he returned to politics, despite threats on his life.

I was terrified - I thought I was going to die

Ronald Gwenzi

"One night when I was walking home, I was hit over the head with an iron bar," he said.

Mr Gwenzi lost consciousness and said that when he came around, he again discovered he had been kidnapped.

"They started to threaten me and I thought they were going to kill me."

After being beaten, Mr Gwenzi was dumped in the bush.

Over the next year, he concentrated on his studies, avoiding politics.

Political tensions in Zimbabwe are very high

However, by 2001, elections were being held and Mr Gwenzi returned to politics and claimed he was again targeted, beaten and threatened with death.

"I was terrified - I thought I was going to die. I knew I had to escape the country or I would lose my life," he said.

Supported by his employer, who paid for a flight to the UK and gave him money, Mr Gwenzi thought he would be able to settle and find work here.

But his application for asylum was refused and his appeal against the decision will be heard on 30 October.

"I hope that my appeal is successful. Things have been very bad for me and my family.

"I don't know what I will do if I am not successful. I am very afraid," he added.