Ibhetshu Likazulu position on the national peace and reconciliation commission bill

Ibhetshu LikaZulu notes that the government has appointed commissioners of the Peace and Reconciliation Commission and to operationalize the commission, it seeks to enact the Peace and Reconciliation Commission Bill, this bill has gone through its first reading in parliament recently.

As an organisation we welcome the appointment of this long awaited commission. We are however concerned that the qualifications of the chairperson fall short of the constitutional requirements by far. We have observed that the chairperson Bishop Emeritus Ambrose Moyo has not practiced law for a required minimum of seven years.

Reading through the bill we were disturbed that the bill seeks to rob the commission of its independency as it seeks to put the commission under the office of the Deputy President, we are concerned that this will work against the independence of the commission as it should independently report to Parliament of Zimbabwe through its chairperson not through an member of the Executive or Cabinet.

If allowed to succeed this will be a gross violation of the constitution and an assault to the expectation of the people including the vision of the late Vice President John Landa Nkomo who on his submission to COPAC on his letter dated the 14th of June 2012 he recommended to the Select Committee the independence of the commission and that it should report to Parliament not to a certain ministry,  and it should be remembered that the late Vice President was the co-chairperson of the Organ for Nation Healing and Reconciliation and Integration, his advised was listened and incorporated into the constitution. Anything contrary to it will be a violation of his vision and that of our nation.

We are further disturbed that the bill does not in any way seek to provide security for the past victims of human rights abuses and perpetrators, this will make it impossible for the people to come forward with the information when their security is not guaranteed. This is a very important issue that legislators must look into, for the success of the commission.

Ibhetshu LikaZulu takes matter with the seriousness it deserves. We will continue engaging all stakeholders on this matter. We are convinced that this commission functioning independently and constitutionally, will bring a positive impact on development, heal the wounds and promote peace.