Zimbabwe has experienced several violent epochs, which have largely remained unresolved. BY RUMBIDZAI MUYENDESI Chief among Zimbabwe’s unresolved violent episodes is the Gukurahundi massacres. According to the Catholic Commission of Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe’s nerve-wracking report Breaking the Silence, about 20 000 civilians were killed in the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces between 1982...
Dr. Ray Motsi: NTJWG Thematic Leader on Memorialisation Violence catalogue Peace has been illusive in Zimbabwe for more than 50 years dating back to the time of colonialism. In 1980 we gained independence but did not have peace as a nation if one realised that that was when more than 20 000 people were...
An account of a survivor of enforced disappearances Zimbabwe has an infamous record of State-sponsored election-related violence since the country gained its independence in 1980. Systematic politically motivated violence increased drastically with the formation of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in 1999. To date, political activists have been subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment...
The NTJWG welcomed the announcement by the NPRC to engage communities for the second time since February, 2018 and followed closely the Commission’s meetings rolled-out from 15 April to 7 July, 2019. It is important for the Commission extract information and also share with stakeholders its plan of activities towards the fulfilment of its mandate...
The NPRC Embarks on Establishing Provincial Peace Committees On 29 May, 2019 the NPRC announced that it will be devolving its operations to Provinces by establishing Provincial Peace Committees beginning 31 May, 2019 ending on 2 July 2019. The NPRC announced that the Provincial Peace Committees will be mandated to solve conflicts in their areas...
A ‘Daughter of Apartheid’ Reflects on Her Healing Journey Introduction In 2011, I was part of a team of researchers from the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum that undertook the Taking Transitional Justice to the Diaspora Outreach Programme. The programme aimed at giving a voice to the Zimbabwe diaspora into Zimbabwe’s transitional justice policy. At one of...
“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.” Nelson Mandela The story of Africa is the story of liberation dating back to the time of slavery, colonialism and now endless wars. The new leadership of Africa is faced with the challenge of a wounded population. Zimbabwe’s history is a...
NTJWG Thematic Leader on Memorialisation As a tool for conflict resolution and a political transformation, national dialogue can be an integral part of a political culture. This comes about as a nation starts a conversation to dialogue with itself on specific national issues in an inclusive manner. A nation that speaks to itself and its...
Healing the dead to heal the living Reflections by Shari Eppel At a time when former president Robert Mugabe’s government avoided debate on Gukurahundi massacres to an extent that talk about the bloody past was criminalised, a human rights activist was helping the victims find closure by identifying remains of their relatives for decent burials....
Remarks at the Launch of the UN and World Bank Global Report ‘Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict.’ On 5 October 2018 in Harare Allow me to recognise the Honourable Vice President Mohadi, honourable representatives of government departments, the United Nations Resident Coordinator Mr. Bishow Parajuli, the Chairperson of the National Peace...
