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Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
THE National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) will meet stakeholders and members of the public in Bulawayo on Thursday and Friday to discuss mechanisms and approaches that will be used in handling national healing issues.
In an interview, NPRC spokesperson Mr Phillimon Chereni said the commission is setting up peace committees countrywide and the Bulawayo committee will be set up on June 18.
He said Thursday’s meeting in Bulawayo will be held at a city hotel.
“The NPRC will be meeting sectoral groups such as women, chiefs, political parties and others on June 6, 2019 in Bulawayo. The commission will also meet all stakeholders and members of the public on June 7 in Bulawayo.
“Meanwhile peace committees are being set up in different provinces as advised before. Our outreach for Bulawayo province was still outstanding. The Bulawayo provincial peace committee will be set up on June 18, 2019,” said Mr Chereni.
He said the setting up of peace committees is aimed at promoting peace, building tolerance, engaging in public education, responding to issues identified in different areas as well as giving strategic advice on potential conflicts.
Mr Chereni encouraged the people of Bulawayo to participate in the upcoming NPRC meetings, saying their views and contributions were vital.
The NPRC was established in terms of the country’s Constitution to ensure post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation, develop programmes to promote national healing, unity and peaceful conflict resolution.
Section 252 of the Constitution states that the NPRC’s functions are to ensure post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation.
Last month, Government announced that it was in the process of implementing a raft of measures towards ensuring healing among victims of Gukurahundi.
Among the measures announced is the issuance of birth certificates to victims affected by Gukurahundi and the death certificates for those who died during the period.
The Government also said it would facilitate through the Ministry of Home Affairs the exhumation and burial of victims of Gukurahundi while medical assistance would be availed for those who were injured during the time.
– @pamelashumba1
Online Reporter