NOVEMBER 2019
Research and Knowledge Management (RKM) Thematic Department.
The overall objective of this department is advising the NPRC in the
generation of knowledge through evidence based research,
documentation and archiving, dissemination and learning in partnership
through collaboration with experts and academic community. The goal of
this department is to produce evidence based research for informed
policy and decision making and the desired outcome of the thematic
department's work is policy recommendations. The strategic deliverables
for this department are as follows:
a. Conflict mapping field which will encompass a desk review and
baseline field survey, field baseline survey on conflict themes,
sexual crimes and traditional methods for conflict resolution;
b. Developing a shared social cohesion and reconciliation index for
Zimbabwe
c. Developing NPRC Knowledge Management systems;
d. Scenarios mapping for Zimbabwe;
e. Reframing of historical narratives;
f. Academic round tables and knowledge sharing platforms;
Victim Support, Gender and Diversity (VSGD) Thematic
Department
On the 2nd of November the NPRC the NPRC published a press release
introducing the Victim Support, Gender and Diversity (VSGD) Thematic
Department as one of the NPRC's external thematic departments. The
mandate of this department is laid out in terms of section 9 of the NPRC
Act. The NPRC in its press release introducing the VSGD Thematic
Department said that the department has a particular mandate to assist
all victims of diverse groups, traditions, cultures and languages with an
emphasis to target all vulnerable victims of conflict especially women,
young girls and persons with disabilities. The VSGD was also said to be
mandated to ensure that victims are handled in a proper manner as
prescribed under section 10 of the NPRC Regulations.
NTJWG Activities
Community Dialogues
Between the 14th and 29th of November 2019, the NTJWG convened
meetings with victims based in Zvishavane, Marange, Gwanda, Bikita and
Nyanga bringing together 250 survivors of past atrocities. This shifted the
NTJWG'S focus from the traditional survivors whom the Working Group
had been working with in the past to engaging communities which have
been affected by conflict and are doing transitional justice work on their
own, including but not limited to victims of political violence, forced
evictions, resource conflicts, Gukurahundi and operation Murambatsvina,
among others who will be engaged for further initiatives in the future.
Regional Process Monitoring Meetings
In the past month, the NTJWG carried-out regional process monitoring
meetings in Mutare and Gweru on the 5th and 15th and of November 2019,
respectively. The key outcomes of these meetings are that:
Ÿ There was a revival of the relationship between the NTJWG and its
stakeholders and the latter's activation. For years, this interaction was
lacking. This also informed stakeholders of what the NTJWG intends to
do and how it can be done by also involving them.
Ÿ These meetings carried-out preliminary stakeholder mapping
exercises to see who is doing what and where and give stakeholders a
platform to discuss their operating environment/context. We now an
understanding how many NTJWG stakeholders are present and active
in these regions.
Ÿ During both meetings, participants expressed concern over the rapidly
shrinking civic space for the civil society in Zimbabwe and the apparent
fear in communities that is sparked by talk of past violations. They,
however, pointed out that there seems to be scope for working with
the NPRC whenever its programs are in line with their programming.
Stakeholders requested commented that the NPRC shares its work plan
to enable proper planning and involvement in the Commission's work.
Ÿ Stakeholders also called for their capacitation so that they also start
merging their programming with transitional justice issues. There was
visible interest in the work the transitional justice is doing and some
have invited the NTJWG to support them in engaging their constituency
and raise awareness around transitional justice issues.
Ÿ
Radio Programs
The NTJWG hosted a radio program on
Diaomond-Fm in Mutare on 1 November
2019 under the theme 'Sustainable
Natural Resources Governance
and Building Partnerships for
Development.' This radio program
provided a platform for the Marange
community and Manicaland region to
critically engage in natural resources
management as a T.J issue. This was
done by unpacking the work of the
NTJWG, discuss issues related to TJ
within the Marange context and clarify
the mandate of the NPRC to ensure non-recurrence of gross human rights
violations in Marange in relation to memorialization, reparations and the
need for government to convey benefits out of diamond exploitation in
Marange. Dr. S. Mungure (Africa University), Commissioner Chiradza
(NPRC) and Sekai Gombe (NTJWG) were the panellists.
On 13 November 2019, the NTJWG represented by Ms. Sindiso Nxumalo
implemented a radio programme under the theme 'Affirmative Action
against Organised Violence in the Midlands Province' This radio
programme was intended to provide a platform for interface between
transitional justice stakeholders and the official transitional justice
processes in Zimbabwe to unpack the causes, opportunities and
challenges in relation to organised violence in the Midlands Province, in
particular the 'machete wars.'
NTJWG Publications
NPRC Briefing
th
On the 17 of October 2019, the NTJWG Chairperson Mr. Muchadehama
met the NPRC Chairperson and Commissioners to present the NPRC
Briefing. The briefing covered the following issues:
· Outstanding reports
· NPRC's interventions in support of survivors and victims
· The NPRC's role in the National Dialogue
· Liaison with stakeholders
· Inclusion of Survivors in Provincial Peace Committees
This briefing was then published on the 10th of November in the
Standard Newspaper. The briefing can be accessed on
http://www.ntjwg.org.zw/downloads/NPRC%20Briefing%20October%2
02019.pdf
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