12 • • • • • The respondent knows me quite well hence it hindered me from saying of things that I wanted say because I was fearing victimization. The respondent took my name down and victimised me after the court session. The presence of the whole party including Dr. Hunzvi was threatening. I was afraid even though he is my uncle. He was accompanied by CIO agents. For others it made no difference: • • • • • • My information would not change whether he was absent or present. I was still going to say the same truth. I had confidence of my safety in court. Although he was looking at me with a threatening eye it did not deter me from telling the truth and say everything that I wanted to say. I wanted the whole nation to know what took place. I was no longer afraid of anything. I was prepared for anything. In court I knew I was protected. I only worried when I got home. For others it was important for the Zanu (PF) candidate to be there: • • • • • • • I wondered why he was not there because I wanted to testify to his face. I wanted him to see me testify. He had to hear me. I wanted the respondent to know what took place. I wasn't going to be settled because I wanted to testify during his presence. He was there when I was assaulted so I wanted him there when I gave testimony. I wanted him to know the truth that his supporters were perpetrators of violence. Communication did not seem to be an impediment to testimony, and all victims [100%] reported being comfortable with the language being used in court, and virtually all [94%] reported being happy with the interpreter’s translations. As regards the victims’ feelings after testimony, most felt relieved after the ordeal was over, but, as can be seen from Table 9 below, the general trend was not negative. Table 9. Feelings after testifying. Feelings after Percentage testimony Relieved 49% Uncertain 15% No difference 30% Afraid 6% There was a mixed response in regard to the victims’ feelings after the result. As indicated above, the petitions were upheld – the election result negated – in Zvishavane, Mutoko South and Hurungwe. Those were felt “sad” came from the petition that lost – Chiredzi North. However, virtually all [94%] would testify again if needed. Heroism in the Dock: Does testifying help victims of organised violence and torture? A pilot study from Zimbabwe.