Chronicle Editor
Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
THE National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) will on Monday embark on a nationwide outreach programme to share with the public mechanisms and approaches that will be utilised in handling national healing issues.
The 21-day outreach programme includes the strategic priorities for 2019 such as public hearings for healing and reconciliation, mechanisms for early detection of conflicts, national dialogue facilitation, setting up of peace committees, evidence based legislative and policy recommendations.
Others are key thematic areas which include complaints handling mechanisms, victim support mechanism, truth telling and truth seeking mechanism, healing, reconciliation and rehabilitation strategy, research and knowledge management strategy.
Highlighting structures in which Zimbabweans can participate for a broad based and inclusive national healing, reconciliation and peace building process are some of the issues to be covered.
NPRC Commissioner Reverend Charles Masunungure yesterday encouraged the public to participate in the programme that will precede the truth seeking, truth telling and public hearings.
“Between April 15 and 16, we will be in Mashonaland East, April 23 and 28 in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands, April 29 and 30 in Mashonaland Central, May 2 and 4 in Harare and Mashonaland West, May 6 and 7 in Masvingo, May 8 and 10 in Manicaland and on May 14 and 15 in Bulawayo.
“It’s important for people to take part in this outreach programme so that we progress together in the journey towards healing. This will help us move forward and develop as a nation,” said Rev Masunungure.
The commission met Government officials, traditional leaders, churches, arts and cultural organisations, civil society, business, academia, persons with disabilities, women and youth, among others.
President Mnangagwa signed the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission Bill into law in January, which operationalised the commission that was appointed in 2016.
The Act provided for the functions, powers, operations and removal from office of the members of the Commission, manner of conducting investigations and staffing of the Commission, among others.
The NPRC was established under Sections 251 to 253 of the Constitution to ensure post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation, to develop programmes to promote national healing, unity and peaceful conflict resolution.
Section 252 of the Constitution states the NPRC’s functions were to ensure post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation.
President Mnangagwa assigned Vice President Kembo Mohadi to be in charge of the Peace and Reconciliation portfolio as a show of his administration’s seriousness in dealing with the issue.
—@pamelashumba1
Online Reporter