Given this caveat, the estimate of 2% does not seem so enormous, but the study also indicated that the sample alleged 3% of their families had experienced such rape, and 16% knew of a politically motivated rape in their community. This last figure, of course, is of considerably greater concern, but, as pointed out in the report of the study, must be treated with caution as it is possible that the sample were, in an unknown number of cases, reporting upon the same case of rape in their community. The most recent study, by RAU and the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights [ZADHR], added greater depth to the understanding of politically motivated rape. A clinical study of 34 women, of whom 27 were finally included in the sample, it indicated that politically motivated rape was confirmed at least for these cases. Rapes were reported as occurring in 2001 [1], 2002 [1], 2003 [1], and 2008 [24]. Hence, most rapes [89%] occurred in 2008, but, of course, there is no suggestion that rape was actually more common in 2008 than in any other year. There have been many reports about the use of “bases” as places where violations take place, but, for this sample, the rape was just as likely to have taken place at or near the victim‟s home [15] as at a base [12]. Over three-quarters [21] were victims of multiple rape, with an average of three rapists per incident. One woman reported a total of 13 perpetrators, and 14 women reported 3 or more perpetrators to their rape. Most [21] were beaten prior to rape, some quite severely. A distressingly high number of the rapes [11] took place in public, at or near the victim‟s home, and witnessed by the victim‟s family and children. Ten women reported that their estimate of the number of perpetrators was only certain for a specific number, and that there could have been more than the number they specified as they had fallen unconscious, or had lost count as they seemed to be so many. They could be certain, however, of at least the number of perpetrators that they specified. Most [23] did not report the rape to the authorities at all. Only 4 reported the rape. Most of the women did not receive appropriate care for the trauma that they had experienced. Only one of the women reported having received therapeutic care for psychological consequences of the violence following the sexual assault. This is in contrast to the high proportion of study participants displaying symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the presence of some with symptoms suggesting psychotic depression. Women in the study exhibited high levels of sleeplessness, nightmares, flashbacks, and hopelessness. A third of the women reported these symptoms, which are commonly associated with experiences of trauma. For some, flashbacks are triggered by large gatherings, particularly where political slogans were being chanted while others had recurring nightmares during which they relived the rapes. Traumatic memories may continue for extended periods of time. Nonetheless, and despite all the reservations about the findings of previous reports, it is evident that politically motivated rape has existed in Zimbabwe and continues to exist. There needs to be a concerted effort by all citizens to ensure that this scourge disappears from both the political and social life of Zimbabwe. Conclusions As can be seen from this report, politically motivated rape is now a focus of considerable international and legal attention. Ranging from rape that occurs during frank war through campaigns of ethnic cleansing to the kinds of rape documented in Zimbabwe, politically motivated rape is to be repudiated whenever and wherever it is found. However, it will be no easy task to change the seemingly inevitable consequences of political disturbances – that women will always be vulnerable in such situations – into situations where women are protected and immune. Of course, no person, male or female should ever be subjected to torture or cruel and inhuman or degrading treatment, but there is the essential difference between men and women, and this is the fact that women, through their critical role in holding together families and communities, are fundamental to the development and maintenance of “social capital”.