Two teachers in Zimbabwe were sentenced to jail on Wednesday for their part in the storming of a militia base at the height of last year's election violence.

The teachers said they were only trying to restrain their students but they were slapped with 12-month jail sentences.

Isee Makhuyana and Moreblessing Hliziyo were working at Mt. Selinda High School at the height of last year's election violence.

When the priest at the school was abducted by youth militia in the area, students went on the rampage.

They stormed the local militia base and caused extensive damage.

The teachers said they only went to the base to try to restrain their pupils.

However, they were convicted of public violence.

Raymond Majongwe, the head of the Progressive Teacher's Union of Zimbabwe said the teachers were being victimised.

Militias loyal to Robert Mugabe were behind much of the violence that left 200 Movement for Democratic Change supporters dead ahead of the June 2008 presidential run-off.