Foreword
Annexure 3 Constitution Extract
on the NPRC
On 22 May 2013, President Robert Mugabe signed into law the new
Constitution
Part 6 of Zimbabwe following a long constitutional reform
process
dating
as farand
back
as 1999. One
of the key features of this
National
Peace
Reconciliation
Commission
251
Establishment
and
composition
of National
Peace and
Constitution is Chapter 12, which establishes
five Independent
Reconciliation
Commission
Commissions Supporting Democracy. One of the independent
commissions in this Chapter is the National Peace and
(1) For a period of ten years after the effective date, there is a
Reconciliation
which Peace
is given
duty to
commissionCommission
to be known(NPRC),
as the National
andthe
Reconciliation
ensure
post-conflict
justice,
healing,
and
reconciliation.
This
Commission consisting of—
Commission
the efforts
of many organisations
including
(a)represents
A Chairperson
appointed
by the President
after
churches, consultation
victim groups,
and
with non-governmental
the Judicial Service organisations
Commission and.
the
Committee
on Standing
Orders
and
international
organisations
that Rules
haveand
been
clamoring
for a
(b)
Eight
other
members
appointed
by
the
President
commission to help the society come to terms with its violent past.from
It
listhopes
of notoffewer
twelve
by the
represents athe
manythan
victims
(andnominees
survivors) submitted
of past human
Committee on Standing Rules and Orders.
rights violations that truth, justice and healing may see the light of
the day.
(2) The Chairperson of the National Peace and Reconciliation
Commission must be a person who has been qualified for at least
The successes or failures of the NPRC are still to be seen. But what is
seven years to practise as a legal practitioner in Zimbabwe.
clear is that an important conversation has already started. The
success
the
NPRC will depend
on the general
supportPeace
from all
(3) Ifofthe
appointment
of a chairperson
to the National
and
stakeholders and the cooperation of the government. This Guide to
Understanding
the of
NPRC
contribution
ensuring
that the
(4) Members
theis our
National
Peaceto and
Reconciliation
purpose
understood
supported
byknowledge
all. The
NPRC
is visible, its
Commission
must
be chosen
for their and
integrity
and their
and
understanding
of and
experience
in, mediation,
conciliation,
Guide
is simple
to use and
understand.
Written
in plain language,
conflict
management,
reconciliation
the guide
is prevention
a valuableand
resource
for civic post-conflict
education, community
or
peace
building.
leaders and facilitators, schools, survivors of human rights violence
human rights defenders, lawyers, lawmakers and anyone who
wants to understand the NPRC and its work in Zimbabwe. We hope
252 Functions of National Peace and Reconciliation Commission
you will
this guide
useful.and Reconciliation Commission has the
Thefind
National
Peace
following functions—
Muchadehama,
(Mr.)
(a) to ensureAlec
post-conflict
justice, healing and reconciliation;
NTJWG Chairperson
(b) 2017
to develop and implement programmes to promote national
Harare,
healing, unity and cohesion in Zimbabwe and the peaceful
resolution of disputes;
67
5
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