News / Local
Healing organ useless: Matabeleland Youths
24 Oct 2011 at 14:36hrs | Views
Youths in Matabeleland have passed a "vote of no confidence" on the Organ for National Healing Reconciliation and Integration (ONHRI), calling for its immediate dissolution and the setting up of an independent commission. Speaking at a youth peace convention held by NYDT from the 29th to the 30th of September 2011 in Bulawayo, more than 200 young people shared the same sentiments that the current set up was unworkable and would achieve nothing more that the waste of tax payers money and people's time.
"We have never heard or seen the three co-ministers of the organ on national healing coming to address and foster on peace initiatives here in Matabeleland. All we see is a disjointed organ with no clear mandate," said one of the participants.
As a way of ensuring that their views are heard, youths agreed to petition the cabinet through a policy position paper that will state clearly their reasons for the need to overhaul the organ leading to the formation of an independent commission.
Speaking at the convention, one of the co-ministers of ONHRI, Honorable Moses Mzila Ndlovu attributed the failures of the ONHRI to the restrictive legislative environment prevailing in the country and the lack of proper legal framework governing the operations and powers of the ONHRI. He cited existing legislations such as the Public order and Security Act (POSA) and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) as contributing to their failure to meet people's expectations.
Minister Mzila Ndlovu also noted that a proper legal framework on the operations of the organ will help the co-ministers in knowing their limitations and powers. Lack of legal back up, he said, was the reason why he was arrested in Lupane for addressing a meeting on national healing even though it is his duty as the Minister.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by Ministers in the ONHRI, young people agreed that a government led national healing process can never justly heal the wounds of Zimbabwean victims since some of the perpetrators are in Government and at one time a whole Government was responsible for the Gukurahundi Massacres. A neutral body of trusted individuals with integrity to whom people can easily open up to, knowing that their day of justice has come, would be more ideal.
"We have never heard or seen the three co-ministers of the organ on national healing coming to address and foster on peace initiatives here in Matabeleland. All we see is a disjointed organ with no clear mandate," said one of the participants.
As a way of ensuring that their views are heard, youths agreed to petition the cabinet through a policy position paper that will state clearly their reasons for the need to overhaul the organ leading to the formation of an independent commission.
Minister Mzila Ndlovu also noted that a proper legal framework on the operations of the organ will help the co-ministers in knowing their limitations and powers. Lack of legal back up, he said, was the reason why he was arrested in Lupane for addressing a meeting on national healing even though it is his duty as the Minister.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by Ministers in the ONHRI, young people agreed that a government led national healing process can never justly heal the wounds of Zimbabwean victims since some of the perpetrators are in Government and at one time a whole Government was responsible for the Gukurahundi Massacres. A neutral body of trusted individuals with integrity to whom people can easily open up to, knowing that their day of justice has come, would be more ideal.
Source - NYDT
