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Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Midlands Correspondent
THE National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) has set up a Provincial Peace Committee for Midlands Province to deal with among other issues past conflicts.
This comes against a backdrop of increasing violence in the mining sector that has seen Government declaring war against machete wielding artisanal miners who are terrorising people in Kwekwe, Mberengwa, Shurugwi and other mining communities.
Most of the criminals are still at large and police have had a torrid time in locating some of the mining syndicates involved in the running battles due to their high mobility and elusive identities.
The Midlands Provincial Peace Committee will be led by Commissioner Netty Musanhu and two deputies Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende from police and Mrs Vongainashe Mpereri from Zanu-PF. The committee comprises 40 people drawn from different political parties, Government officials, traditional leaders, churches, arts and cultural organisations, civil society, business, academia, persons with disabilities, women and youth, among others.
Speaking at the provincial launch last week, National Peace and Reconciliation Commission chairperson Justice Selo Nare implored the committee to promote tolerance building and provide strategic advice and early warning on potential threats to the peace and stability of the communities.
“It is your duty to promote peace within the province, create spaces for dialogue between groups and communities and for the exchange of ideas on issues that may threaten peace and stability. I have been informed that a lot of conflict is prevailing in the artisanal mining sector in various districts in this province. It is an area where you need to intervene and proffer sustainable solutions,” he said.
Justice Nare said Zimbabwe is undergoing a critical political and economic transition that has potential to transform the country towards sustainable development and improvement of citizens’ lives.
He said the peace committees will cascade to the district, ward and village level so that all levels of national structures are involved in the consummation of peace.
“The committee will engage in public education, sensitisation and awareness about conflict indicators and how to ameliorate them while facilitating organisation of activities that build friendships, promote trust and goodwill between communities in conflict,” he said.
derick.khumalo