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Rutendo Rori Mashonaland East Correspondent
The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) is working on decentralising its operations by establishing structures from cell to provincial level to encourage total representation, commissioner Dr Geoffrey Chada, has said.

Addressing residents in Marondera during a multi-stakeholder consultative meeting on Tuesday, Dr Chada said the move was meant to promote representation of all societal groups.

“When we finish our outreach programme, we will start composing the commission’s structures from ward to provincial level,” he said.

“We want all societal groups to be represented, including business communities, churches, political parties, traditional leaders, women’s organisations and youths.

“The move is meant to avoid unfairness since the commission is not aligned to any group. It is an independent organisation.”
Dr Chada said the number of representatives at district level would be determined by the number of constituencies.

“We will also engage communities in the structuring exercise. The commission will just facilitate the process,” said Dr Chada.
Another member of the NPRC, Commissioner Patience Chiradza, applauded President Mnangagwa for allowing citizens to debate the Gukurahundi issue openly, saying it promoted national healing and reconciliation.

“We want to thank the President for allowing people to debate openly about the Gukurahundi issue. When people are allowed to express their grievances, they start healing,” she said.

“During our outreach programme, we will also visit the affected communities to hear their grievances. Our aim is to create national healing and reconciliation.”

NPRC has met with various key stakeholders to initiate the planning process for a national dialogue to create space for national conversations aimed at achieving social, economic and political transformation.

The commission said it had met Government officials, traditional leaders, churches, arts and cultural organisations, civil society, business, academia, persons with disabilities, women and youths, among others.

President Mnangagwa signed the National Peace and Reconciliation Bill into law last year, paving way for the operationalisation of the commission that was appointed in 2016.

Established under Sections 251-253 of the Constitution, the NPRC seeks to ensure post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation, to develop programmed to promote national healing, unity and peaceful conflict resolution.