A Guide to Understanding A Guide to Understanding the the NATIONAL NATIONAL PEACE & RECONCILIATION PEACE & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION COMMISSION IN ZIMBABWE IN ZIMBABWE How does the NPRC work? Acknowledgments 4.0 A The National Transitional Justice Working Group (NTJWG) s this Guide was compiled before the full operationalisation acknowledges support by various during of the NPRC, what isgiven contained in thisstakeholders Chapter may be the development this guide. different inof practice to what the Commission will do. As a new institution, the NPRC will create its own legacy, values, ethics Special thanks go to the secretariat of thewith NTJWG, which and organisational culture. What we only share you here are is the theZimbabwe options available at law NGO and best practices. Human Rights Forum. In general, the Commissioners are the supreme without decisionthe makers This guide would not have been successful generous regarding the work of the NPRC. They have the obligation to carry support of our funding partners. out the constitutional mandate of the NPRC. There are various ways they can carry out this constitutional Forthat feedback and information in this guide,mandate. we are grateful to the stakeholders who read through the draft guide and gave valuable input. Support Secretarial we owe it to‘engine’ the thousands victims whoSection have requested TheFinally, Secretariat is the of theof Commission. 234 of for thethis Constitution empowers the enduring Commission tofor hire staff to helpkeeps simplified guide. It is their hope healing which them doour their work. Section 14 and 15 of the NPRC Act regulates us on feet. the Commission in relation to the establishment of a Secretariat. The Secretariat will be responsible for the day to day running of the affairs of the Commission. Through the Secretariat, the NPRC will be expected to establish a nation-wide presence with offices and experts to attend to the needs of those who require the needs of the NPRC. A strategic planning process will lead to the development of a strategic plan on how the NPRC intends to achieve its goals. When such establishment comes into existence, this Guide will be updated to give such information. Activities The NPRC’s strategic plan will outline a series of activities designed to achieve the set goals. Best practices and some indications from the law give an idea of what activities the NPRC may engage in. Hearings - The NPRC has a mandate to receive and consider complaints from the public and to take such action in regard to the complaints, as it considers appropriate. This is an indication that the NPRC should hold public hearings where witnesses and 22 4