11. RECOMMENDATIONS HEAL ZIMBABWE - BASELINE STUDY REPORT a) Institutional Design of the NPRC: The NPRC should be free from political interference, devolved and acceptable within diverse communities. The independence of the NPRC can be guaranteed by the government’s respect for the constitution and ensuring that the Commission receives support from other government departments. In addition, peace and reconciliation mechanisms deployed must be traditionally relevant and modelled to promote grassroots participation and engagement. b) Peace and Reconciliation Scope: There is need to recognise and emphasize that the peace and reconciliation processes that the NPRC is set to facilitate is NOT (i) a court processes, (ii) witch hunting mission or (iii) process of targeting perpetrators. The peace and reconciliation process is meant to facilitate reconciliation, peaceful realisation of positive relations. c) NPRC Processes: The NPRC should consider facilitating truth-telling, public apologies and restorative justice processes (including compensation). The NPRC processes should not be seen as a court of hearing, but a reconciliation process requiring dialogue, mediation and engagement. d) Social sensitivities: The NPRC and other bodies that will facilitate reconciliation processes must consider gender sensitive cases and the value of privacy and security of victims and perpetrators. e)Traditional Peace and Reconciliation Mechanisms: The Zimbabwean society is founded on traditional values embedded in the country’s culture and values. As such, the peace and reconciliation process must consider utilising traditional mechanisms, while at the same time being cognisant of their possible limitations. 67