The Sunday Mail
DISCUSSING peace, former late South African President Nelson Mandela once said: “I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.”
Government has steadfastly demonstrated a strong political will and commitment to national healing, peace and reconciliation.
The formation and dedication of resources to the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission is a clear indication that Zimbabweans want to be “at peace with themselves.”
Chaired by former Speaker of Parliament Cyril Ndebele, the NPRC’s mandate is to spearhead efforts to maintain peace and reconciliation.
The other members of the commission are Lilian Chigwedere, Patience Chiradza, Choice Ndoro, Charles Masunungure, Geoffrey Chada, Leslie Ncube and Godfrey Chekenyere.
In efforts to heal the nation of the scars associated with the liberation war, Zimbabweans are making their input on the National Peace and Reconciliation Bill.
Government gazetted the National Peace and Reconciliation Bill to give effect to Sections 251, 252 and 253 of the Constitution.
Contributions are being made during public hearings which are being held throughout the country as Government, through Parliament, seeks to solicit views from stakeholders.
Members of the public, drawn from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and interested groups, have been making contributions.
The public hearings are being conducted jointly by the Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Senate Thematic committee on Human Rights and Peace and Security.
The crafting of the bill has received tremendous support from such organisations as the United Nations Development Programme and the Southern Africa Parliamentary Support Trust.
Zimbabweans from all political divides are taking part in this noble initiative.
Harare West House of Assembly member Jessie Majome, of the MDC-T, chairs the Justice Committee.
From the contributions made so far, it is crystal clear that Zimbabweans are aware of the need to safeguard the peace and security which emanated from the hard-fought liberation war.
Stakeholders have applauded the efforts to come up with a bill that will result in peace prevailing in the country.
A number of concerns have, however, been raised regarding the manner in which the fact-finding exercise is being conducted.
Stakeholders maintained that there is need for the Bill to compel Zimbabweans to tell the truth.
Ms Jestina Mukoko, the national director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project said the Bill plays an important part in the lives of Zimbabweans, adding that due diligence must be taken during the promulgation of the Bill.
“Basically, we need to see a Bill that adopts best practices. Peace and reconciliation commissions have been made before. We are not inventing the wheel. The Bill must be aligned with the constitution,” Ms Mukoko said.
She, however, expressed reservations with the way the public hearings are being conducted.
“Like I said before, this Bill plays an important role and as such, it must have been well-advertised. As I see it, not all Zimbabweans are being involved in this process. There is need for full-scale consultations with stakeholders,” added Ms Mukoko.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project seeks to promote political, civil and socio-economic rights with a view of advancing peace, justice and dignity.
ZPP current member organisations include the Catholic Commission of Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ), Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZIMRIGHTS) and the Civic Education Network Trust (CIVNET).
The Counselling Services Unit (CSU), Habbakuk Trust, Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) are some of the member organisations.
In a statement, the Heal Zimbabwe Trust, one of the organisations that is advocating for peace welcomed the hearings, which it said is an opportunity for survivors of violence to seek healing and reconciliation.
The organisation, however, expressed concerns with the way the hearings are being conducted.
“While the public hearings are a welcome opportunity for survivors of violence and communities seeking healing, justice and reconciliation, the Parliamentary process ignores the import of educating and dispersing knowledge to the public prior to consultations.”
“The public are barely going to input to the Bill which they do not know of its contents. It is of great importance to ensure that people are aware of the contents of the bill before launching public consultations.”
The trust further challenged political parties to urge their followers to take part in the fact-finding mission.
“Concerns have been highlighted over the silence by political parties regarding the NPRC Bill and public hearings yet their members are either perpetrators or victims of human rights violations.”
“As involved parties, we urge them to encourage their members to meaningfully participate in the public hearings to ensure the NPRC does not become one of the many docile Commissions but fulfil its mandate of justice, reconciliation and healing, added the HZT.
During the meetings, it was noted that the participants expressed lack of knowledge on the NPRC functions and the gazetted Bill.
The majority of the organisations that are involved in peacebuilding efforts urged Parliament to increase the number of public meetings and to cover wider areas.
Zimbabweans from all walks of life are clearly determined to maintain peace and reconcile.
Famous peace quotes
“If someone thinks that love and peace is a cliché that must have been left behind in the Sixties, that’s his problem. Love and peace are eternal” – John Lennon
“Peace is the only battle worth waging” – Albert Camus
“Peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal” — Martin Luther King Jr.
“Courageous people do not fear forgiving for the sake of peace” — Nelson Mandela.
“If everyone demanded peace instead of another TV set, then there’d be peace” — John Lennon.
