gender and pursue appropriate remedy for the victims. The deafening silence of the ZGC regarding the issues of sexual violence reported during the shutdown is disappointing. The ZGC needs to be seized with issues of organised violence against women. To the consolation of victims, a number of voluntary organisations have stepped forward to assist the victims and made strong statements against organised sexual violence against women. 4.3 The Zimbabwe Media Commission The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) is established by the Constitution to uphold, promote and develop freedom of the media. During the Shutdown, there were a lot of complaints received regarding the violation of fundamental freedoms as they relate to the media as well as the attacks on journalists doing their work. The silence of the Commission in this area is shocking to say the least and throws into question its independence. The State media’s role in encouraging State violence has been outstanding. The ZMC has an obligation under section 249 (b) to enforce good practices and ethics in the media. In fact, the ZMC has not stepped into its role in all the functions stipulated in the Constitution. 4.4 The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission Following the August 1 2018 killings, the NPRC indicated that they would not interfere with the work of the Montlanthe Commission but would wait to interact with its findings. It is still to be seen what course the NPRC wishes to take now that the report of the Montlanthe Commission is now public. On 14 January 2019, following the outbreak of violence in Harare, the NPRC called for a press conference which it cancelled 40 minutes 10 later without making any pronouncement. On 31 January 2019, the NPRC convened a consultative meeting with a few selected stakeholders to develop a framework for comprehensive dialogue. However, the process was hijacked by the Office of the President which started its own consultations leading to the meeting of political parties on 6 February 2019. This again has exposed the Government's tendency of undermining the work of constitutional commissions. Not much has emerged from the NPRC regarding attending to the needs of the victims after the violence or playing a prominent leadership role on pushing for national dialogue. That role has been played more effectively by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches which on 7 February 2019 successfully convened the National Leaders Breakfast Meeting. The reason why the NPRC is struggling for space in an area that it is constitutionally mandated may be because of questions regarding its capacity, its secretariat and its independence. In a survey conducted by the NTJWG in November 2018 with victims of organised violence, 72.3% believe that the NPRC is not independent and is beholden to government and political influence. These fears have been confirmed by a statement in the Zimbabwe Independent of 8 February 2019, where the Chairperson of the NPRC Justice Nare is quoted as saying , “…we are directly answerable to Vice President Kembo Mohadi.” This is wrong and worrying for the many victims who expect the NPRC to be truly independent. Trust for any independent commission is important. And it must be earned, it cannot be demanded. The NPRC needs to step into its leadership position and gain the trust of the stakeholders especially the victims if it is to play a positive role in the developments in our STATE OF TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE IN ZIMBABWE 2018 REPORT NATIONAL TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE WORKING GROUP ZIMBABWE