in motion to draft a national reconciliation
strategy in which all other Government
departments must be involved to ensure a
holistic approach to reconciliation.
The Role of Traditional Leaders in National
Healing
On 16 January 2018, the media reported that
Vice-President Kembo Mohadi made remarks
that insinuated that the Government would
approach traditional leaders to help deal with
the Gukurahundi issue. It is reported that the
Vice-President said that Traditional Leaders
would help in spearheading healing. NTJWG
Stakeholders do respect traditional leaders and
appreciate the role they can play in Zimbabwe.
However, at the just ended stakeholders’
conference, stakeholders noted that the proper
body to lead reconciliation has already been
identified in the Constitution and that is the
NPRC.
Some Stakeholders noted that some traditional
leaders have been implicated in past violations
hence they may become subject to investigation.
In that regard, the statements by the VicePresident did not sit well with stakeholders. The
independence of the NPRC is already in doubt. It
is important that the Executive avoids making
statements that may seem to suggest that they are
now giving direction to the NPRC. The NPRC
must be given space to develop its own strategy
and execute it without the interference of the
Executive.
Operational Independence of the NPRC
Stakeholders have noted with concern matters
that may seem to affect the independence of the
NPRC. Firstly, it is the matter raised above which
relates to Executive statements. Secondly, it is the
issue of the continued presence of Executive staff
in the activities of the NPRC. At a recent meeting
in Bindura on 19 February, 2018, participants
who had come to attend an NPRC meeting
ended up being addressed by Advocate M.
Bimha who is the Minister of State for
Mashonaland Central Provinces. Stakeholders
raised this issue as part of the Executive's
interference which undermines the confidence
of the public in the NPRC and its independence.
While the Executive is responsible for
administering the NPRC Act, efforts must be put
in place to ensure that this Administration is not
seen to be interfering with the operational
independence of the NPRC.
NPRC Chairperson
NTJWG notes and commends the Executive for
the appointment of the NPRC Chair announced
on 20 February, 2018. This is a matter that
stakeholders had noted and it is a commendable
step.
From left, NTJWG Coordinator D. Bere,
NTJWG Chairperson A. Muchadehama and the
Special Advisor to the President Prof. Clever Nyathi
NPRC Capacity Issues
Many of our stakeholders believe that the NPRC
is not yet fully capacitated to deal with matters at
hand. A major issue raised is the issue of
resources. The NPRC currently has no
Secretariat, no office and it appears the funds are
limited. The Constitution obliges the
Government to ensure that the NPRC is funded
to perform its tasks. NTJWG encourages the
Government to expeditiously ensure that all
resources required by the NPRC are made
available. While some development agencies are
interested in supporting the NPRC, this will not
be possible without functional structures.
Resource starvation can affect the independence
and capacity of the NPRC as the commission has
to depend on the benevolence of other actors.
Dealing with Past Issues
The NPRC is one among many not so successful
Commissions. The NTJWG notes that for many
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EXECUTIVE BRIEF – 22 FEBRUARY 2018