c) Acceptability of justice processes and systems-the form and substance of justice, including how
it is delivered and executed should be acceptable (e.g. relevant culturally appropriate and of
good quality) to victims.
d) Adaptability of justice systems– justice should be flexible so that it can adapt to the needs of
changing societies and communities and respond to the needs of victims within their diverse
social and cultural setting s as well as varying violations.
The Organ on National Healing and Reconciliation and Integration
When the 2009 Government of National Unity (GNU) between ZANU-PF and the MDC was
established under the Global Political Agreement (GPA),⁶⁴ its Article 7 provided for the creation of a
body called the Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration. The composition of the
Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration (ONHRI) had three co-ministers
representing the three political parties which are signatory to the Global Political Agreement (GPA).
These co Ministers were sworn in as: John Landa Nkomo (ZANU-PF) Organ Chairperson, Sekai
Masikana Holland (MDC-T) and Gibson Jama Sibanda (MDC) (replaced upon his death by Moses
Mzila Ndlovu). Article 7.1C of the GPA sought to advise the three GPA Principals on what measures
should be taken by government to address all the transitional justice matters of victims of cyclic
political violence before and after independence. While the Organ remained in operation for the most
part of the life of the GNU, it was heavily politicized as it was located in President Mugabe's office.
Nothing significant except a lot of politicking came out of the process and the Organ and thus failed to
serve the justice needs of many a Zimbabwean who had had their hopes raised by the GNU.
The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission
The NPRC was appointed in 2016 but could not immediately begin its work until the enabling law was
signed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 5 January 2018, the National Peace and Reconciliation
Commission Act (Chapter 10:32 (No.11 of 2017). The Act provides for the functions, powers,
operations and removal from office of the members of the Commission, manner of conducting
investigations and staffing of the Commission, among others. The NPRC is established under Sections
251 to 253 of the Constitution to ensure post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation, to develop
programmes to promote national healing, unity and peaceful conflict resolution and will run for the next
10 years. The eight-member NPRC were appointed in 2016 and was chaired by first by the late former
Speaker of Parliament, Cyril Ndebele. The new chairperson is retired Justice Selo Masole Nare who
was appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 20 February 2018. The other commissioners are
Lilian Chigwedere, Patience Chiradza, Choice Ndoro, Netty Musanhu, Charles Masunungure,
Geoffrey Chada, Leslie Ncube and Godfrey Chekenyere.
Recalibrating the work of the NPRC
Much as Hayner is a proponent of truth commissions, she problematizes the idea of the truth acquired
from such processes. While not true in every case, in many cases, victimized populations, as in
Zimbabwe, know what happened and who perpetrated the acts. Hayner thus notes that in such
circumstances, the importance of truth commissions might be described more accurately as
⁶⁴Agreement between the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
formations, on resolving the challenges facing Zimbabwe accessed at
http://constitutionnet.org/sites/default/files/global_political_agreements_2008.pdf).
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Anti-Impunity Report
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