The functions of the NPRC are listed in section 252 of the Constitution. These are: to ensure post-conflict justice, healing, reconciliation and reconciliation; to develop and implement programmes to promote national healing, unity and cohesion in Zimbabwe; to bring about national reconciliation by encouraging people to tell the truth about the past and facilitating the making of amends and the provision of justice; to develop procedures and institutions at a national level to facilitate dialogue among political parties, communities, organisations, and other groups, in order to prevent conflicts and disputes arising in the future; to develop programmes to ensure that persons subjected to persecution, torture and other forms of abuse receive . . . . . rehabilitative treatment and support; . to receive and consider complaints from the public and to take such action in regard to the complaints as it considers appropriate; to develop mechanisms for early detection of areas of potential conflicts and disputes, and to take appropriate preventive measures; to do anything incidental to the prevention of conflicts and the promotion of peace; to conciliate and mediate disputes among communities, organisations, groups and individuals; and to recommend legislation to ensure that assistance, including documentation, is rendered to persons affected by conflicts, pandemics or other circumstances. . . . . 2.1.a.i. Progress The Government of Zimbabwe has so far managed to appoint 8 commissioners to the NPRC. A Chairperson had also been appointed, Dr. Cyril Ndebele but he has since died and there is need for a replacement. The 2017 Budget has made provision for the NPRC which was allocated US$1 123 000. The Government of Zimbabwe has further appointed some officers from the Office of the President and Cabinet to act as Secretariat for the NPRC. The Government has gazetted the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission Bill which seeks to provide a legislative framework for the operations of the NPRC. The current Bill is a revision of the previous Bill which was rejected by Parliament, the public as well as civil society actors. . . . . . 2.1.a.ii. Challenges . There is no legislative framework for the NPRC to commence work. . The current Bill is very defective in that it takes away the independence granted to the Commission by the Constitution, ignores survivors and victims, ignores gender and makes provision for amnesty without key safeguards against abuse. See Annex 1 for the Bill and Annex 2 for the analysis. Section 233 of the Constitution Much will depend upon the interpretation of the “effective date”. Is it the signing into being of the Constitution in 2013, the appointment of the Commissioners, or the signing of the NPRC Bill? 2 STATE OF TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE IN ZIMBABWE 2017 REPORT NATIONAL TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE WORKING GROUP ZIMBABWE