adminin the country’s 10 provinces, co-opting the civic society, traditional leaders and faith based groups in attempt to address cases of politically motivated violence at grassroot level.
The committees are expected to be in place before the end of the year.
Jomic spokesperson, Mr Joram Nyathi, yesterday said the liason committees would comprise four senior members each from Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations as the committee sought to increase cooperation and build mutual trust among political parties.
“Jomic co-chairpersons (Hon Nicholas Goche – Zanu-PF, Hon Elias Mangoma – MDC-T, and Hon Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga – MDC) are helping in the selection of members to be seconded to the provincial liaison committees,” Mr Nyathi said.
A full Jomic meeting held in Harare last month resolved to set up the interparty liason committees as a matter of urgency to increase co-operation between Zanu-PF and the MDC formations in dealing with cases of political violence at community level.
“Jomic resolved that the members of the liaison committees should be people who are empowered to take decisions on behalf of their party.
“It was therefore proposed that the party representatives should be led by provincial party chairpersons to reflect the seriousness with which Jomic takes their task.
“The interparty committees will form the point of contact with Jomic at the provincial level in handling interparty disputes,” Mr Nyathi said.
The committees are expected to undergo an induction workshop under the auspices of Jomic to fully understand its mode of operation to avoid unnecessary discord among members.
“In turn, the provincial interparty liaison committees will help in selecting members from their political parties who will form similar subcommittees at district and ward levels.
“The committees will also be expected to co-opt other members from civic society, traditional leaders, farmers’ groups and faith-based organisations, among others.
“Police have already agreed in principle to work with these committees,” he said.
Jomic plans to roll out the provincial interparty liaison committees in the next couple of months so that they are fully operational before the end of the year.
Jomic committee at district level covering Harare and Chitungwiza has been investigating a number of cases and recently finding presented revealed that there was no politically motivated violence in the two areas.
Some reports of clashes reported were results of people fighting for business premises at flea markets.
Online Reporter