via Is Zim ready for an effective reconciliation process? – DailyNews Live Maxwell Sibanda • 12 April 2016
HARARE – National healing and reconciliation in Zimbabwe remains emotive and requires the full attention of the whole nation, hence the National Peace and Reconciliation (NPRC) Bill must be true to these concerns, a human rights activist has said.
Chairperson of the Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT) board and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) director Okay Machisa told a public discussion in Harare recently that as Zimbabweans we need to be open and not be afraid to speak out.
“Are we ready to forgive and be forgiven?” asked Machisa.
Speaking at an Indaba themed: “Is Zimbabwe ready for an effective, truth, justice, peace and reconciliation process” where he urged people to participate to ensure a better NPRC Bill in the forthcoming public consultations this month.
The Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Thematic Committee on Human Rights and the Thematic Committee on Peace and Security will hold Public Hearings throughout the country on the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission Bill H.B. 13, 2015 from the April 10 to 17, 2016.
Heal Zimbabwe Trust director Rashid Mahiya said the Harare Indaba was to gather public ideas on the broader issues on national healing, reconciliation and peace-building and raise awareness on the NPRC.
In March 2016, collaborating with other civil society organisations HZT conducted 59 well-attended meetings across the country mainly in small towns in collaboration with ZimRights.
Evangelist and businessman Shingi Munyeza said there was need for economic healing for those who lost savings and pensions during the period of economic collapse, while calling for the national leadership to religiously repent of their wrongdoing.
Munyeza said the church was still engaging with the political leaders away from the public eye. He also cited official corruption, pervasive sense of entitlement and greed by those who participated in the liberation struggle, tribalism, colonialism and sanctions as contributing to the current economic malaise.
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