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The Government must Set up the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) Now!
19 Sep 2015 at 08:34hrs | Views
Heal Zimbabwe say it has noted with great concern the revelation by Buhera South MP, Joseph Chinotimba that former War Veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda was responsible for the electoral violence that led to the deaths of hundreds of people in 2008.
"While the cause of violence cannot be attributed to a single individual, what is true is that electoral violence remains a hurdle in the full attainment of peace and stability in the country. Such revelations by Chinotimba come at a time when the Government of Zimbabwe is seized with the ostensible responsibility of having to establish the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) which has the constitutional mandate of ensuring post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation," said Heal Zimbabwe.
"The delay in establishing the NPRC or the lack of political will by the Government to establish this Independent Commission means that future conflicts will continue unabated. Heal Zimbabwe is greatly concerned by the delay in setting up the NPRC by the Government."
The trust said as the country continues to witness the birth of new political groupings, history has taught us that competition for votes usually escalate tensions among these political parties as we move towards election times.
Without a Commission such as the NPRC in place, chances are high that the lack of justice to unresolved conflicts and violent episodes will spur many offenders and expose victims of political violence to more abuse especially during elections.
"Heal Zimbabwe implores the Government to swiftly set up an independent, professional, non partisan and transparent NPRC which has the onerous task of developing mechanisms for early detection of areas of potential conflicts, disputes, and to take appropriate preventative measures," said the trust.
"While the cause of violence cannot be attributed to a single individual, what is true is that electoral violence remains a hurdle in the full attainment of peace and stability in the country. Such revelations by Chinotimba come at a time when the Government of Zimbabwe is seized with the ostensible responsibility of having to establish the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) which has the constitutional mandate of ensuring post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation," said Heal Zimbabwe.
"The delay in establishing the NPRC or the lack of political will by the Government to establish this Independent Commission means that future conflicts will continue unabated. Heal Zimbabwe is greatly concerned by the delay in setting up the NPRC by the Government."
The trust said as the country continues to witness the birth of new political groupings, history has taught us that competition for votes usually escalate tensions among these political parties as we move towards election times.
Without a Commission such as the NPRC in place, chances are high that the lack of justice to unresolved conflicts and violent episodes will spur many offenders and expose victims of political violence to more abuse especially during elections.
"Heal Zimbabwe implores the Government to swiftly set up an independent, professional, non partisan and transparent NPRC which has the onerous task of developing mechanisms for early detection of areas of potential conflicts, disputes, and to take appropriate preventative measures," said the trust.
Source - Byo24News
