BACKGROUND
The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) is constitutionally mandated to develop mechanisms to proactively deal with potential conflicts and disputes. Constitutional function Section 252(g), specifically requires for the Commission to develop mechanisms for early detection of areas of potential conflicts and disputes, and to take appropriate preventive measures to dispose of the conflicts. The Commission’s five year strategy (2018-2022) also prioritizes the need to ensure that ´Mechanisms for early detection of areas of potential conflicts and disputes [are] established and operationalised to prevent their escalation into violence.’ The Commission thus intends to set up a Zimbabwe Conflict Early Warning and Early Response system which will help to inform coordinated capturing and initiating national responses to conflicts.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CEWER SYSTEM
NPRC, in setting up the CEWER system seeks to achieve the following objectives:
a) To detect areas or hotspots of potential conflicts and mobilize for timely response before the occurrence of the conflicts;
b) To empower individuals and communities threatened by peace and security threats to act in sufficient time and in an appropriate manner so as to reduce the possibility of violence;
c) To promote a shared assessment of conflict risks and stimulate timely relevant and coherent response to prevent the emergence, re-emergence or escalation of violence;
d) To enhance collaboration and coordination proceedings between authorities and the population in order to share information and align response capability at the time of receiving an early warning.

CEWER SUPPORT CLUSTERS
In view of the need to integrate CEWER responses at state and non-state levels, multi-disciplinary support structures will be activated to deal with specific sector interests. The following clusters have been proposed:
a) Elections cluster
b) Socio-Economic cluster
c) Sexual and Gender Based Violence cluster
d) Natural resources cluster
e) Media cluster

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS
Interested organizations and individuals who wish to support the Commission’s processes in setting up the CEWER system are invited to send a one page motivation note indicating their preferred cluster, the related work they are doing and the details of the person(s) they wish to second to work with the Commission. Details should be submitted through electronic mail to pzchiradza@nprc.org.zw and copied to jnmashingaidze@nprc.org.zw on or before 21 August 2020.

Complaints Handling and Investigations  

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) is mandated to receive and investigate complaints from the public in instances where conflicts arise as a result of human rights violations as provided for in section 252(f) of the Constitution and section 3(2)(a) of the NPRC Act [Chapter 10:32].

Who may lodge a complaint with the NPRC? 

Section 8(1) (2) of the NPRC Act as read with section 18(1) of the NPRC Regulations, SI 90/2018 provides that a complaint may be lodged with the Commission by four categories of persons namely:

• any person directly or indirectly affected or suffered human rights violation
• any group of people which has suffered human rights violation arising from a shared or common dispute or conflict
• any person acting on behalf of any person or group of persons who are unable or incapable to lodge complaint
• any person or group acting in the public interest

Where can a complaint be lodged?

A complaint relating to a human rights violation which creates disputes or conflicts may be lodged at any office of the NPRC regardless of where the human rights violation occurred (s 18(4)). This was done to alleviate challenges associated with travelling by the public. The NPRC has offices in Harare and Bulawayo and is currently in the process of putting in place mechanisms for further decentralization so that it is easily accessible and for expeditious disposal of cases. The NPRC Provincial Peace Committee structures have been activated in all the ten provinces to assist in the receiving and processing of complaints.

How is a complaint lodged?

Not everyone can make a written complaint or call the Commission during business hours. We live in a diverse community where people have different communication preferences and needs. Section 8(1) of the NPRC Act as read with section 18(6) (b)-(d) of the NPRC Regulations provides that a complaint is lodged at a Commission office in either of the following ways/forms:

• in writing and handed in at a Commission office
• made orally or by telephone to a Commission office
• sent to the office by post, tele-facsimile or e-mail
• Complete a complaint form online via the NPRC’s website and transmit it electronically to the Commission.

During the lockdown period, the NPRC`s Complaints Handling and Investigations Department will be operational discharging its mandate in the manner explained above. A full list of Complaints Handling and Investigations Officers will be published separately. The department has also broadened its Complaints receiving platform by creating WhatsApp lines through which it will be receiving complaints covering three regions as will appear more fully below. The contact details of the Complaints Handling and Investigations Department are as follows:

Harare Office: +263242792646 | +263712906826 | +263712845518 |+263719527597 | +263719527596

Bulawayo Office: +263 29270101 | +263719527641 | +263712845520

Website: www.nprc.org.zw |Email: complaints@nprc.org.zw | WhatsApp +263714035328

Bulawayo, Midlands, Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North – +263719527642

Manicaland and Masvingo Provinces – +263719527638

Harare, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland West – +263719524708

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission is meeting with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Thematic Committee on Human Rights to reflect on its programs in 2019.

“Peace is not a result of the end of conflict. The victors and the victims must experience peace after the end of conflict. To be soldiers of reconciliation and peace… we must seek human and social justice for all.” 

By Hon Advocate J.F. Mudenda, Speaker of the National Assembly

“To replace the old paradigm with a new paradigm of waging peace, we must be pioneers who can push the boundaries of human understanding. We must be doctors who must treat the virus of violence… we must be artists who will make the world our masterpiece” 

By Dr Paul Chapel

The Deputy Chairperson of@NPRCZim, Commissioner L. Chigwedere noted that victims form the centre of all peace and reconciliation processes.

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission Midlands Provincial Peace Committee is being trained in Gweru from 30 June to 2 July 2020.

Commissioner L. Ncube will be live on ZTN on Thursday 28 May 2020 at 10.00 CAT. He will be unpacking the mandate of the NPRC Healing, Reconciliation and Rehabilitation Thematic Committee.

Commissioner C. Ndoro will be live on ZTN on Monday 25 May 2020 at 10.00 CAT. She will be unpacking the mandate of the NPRC Research and Knowledge Management Thematic Committee.

Commissioner P. Z. Chiradza will be live on ZTN on Tuesday 19 May 2020 at 17.00 CAT. She will be unpacking the mandate of the NPRC Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution and Transformation Thematic Committee.

Commissioner Rev Masunungure will be live on ZTN on Monday 18 May 2020 at 14.45 CAT. He will be unpacking the mandate of the NPRC Complaints Handling and Investigations Thematic Committee.

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission is saddened to learn of the passing on of Rev Themba Siwela, yesterday, the 7th of May 2020 at Masvingo General Hospital. Rev Siwela was one of the two Deputy Chairpersons of the Masvingo Provincial Peace Committee to which position he was elected by members of the committee drawn from a cross section of stakeholders in the Province. That Rev Siwela was entrusted by the Committee to lead the peace building, mediation and dispute resolution processes in Masvingo Province speaks volumes about his commitment to ensuring a peaceful Zimbabwe for all generations.

The Provincial Peace Committee’s last contact with Rev Siwela was in March 2020 where he led his team in a capacity building program to sharpen skills for the prevention, management, resolution and transformation of conflicts as well as coordinate the Commission’s programs in the Province. Ever so humble and soft spoken, the Commission will miss his wisdom and faith filled approach to the work of peace building. Indeed, the Commission and the Masvingo Peace Committee are poorer without his wise counsel, fortitude and passion. We therefore mourn his loss, well aware of the sterling work that he did to build and lead the foundations upon which localised peace infrastructures in the country are grounded.

We extend our condolences to his wife, children, family, community, church and the Masvingo Provincial Peace Committee and we feel their loss at this difficult time. We are grateful to the family and church for allowing Rev Siwela to join the Provincial Peace Committee and to subsequently lead it and hope that they will find comfort in the contributions he made and the mark he left.

Go well Rev; go well peacemaker; go well man of God!

Peace begins with me; peace begins with you; peace begins with all of us.

Rtd Justice S.M. Nare

CHAIRPERSON
NATIONAL PEACE AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION