The NHRI was tasked with such functions as promoting national healing, reconciliation and integration. These are terms that can only be said to have been loosely used, as to date that organ has done precious little to fulfill this mandate. There has not been any healing or reconciliation that has taken place since the inauguration of the government of national unity (GNU) in February 2009.
The NHRI was also directed to study the physical, including emotional, social and mental trauma afflicting most Zimbabweans with a view to addressing it. To date, we have no evidence of any such study having been done by the NHRI. In fact, it is doubtful that the organ can have the capacity to undertake such a study given the calibre of its leadership.
The organ should commission studies of this nature as soon as possible so that the nation can benefit in relation to both the healing and the integration processes. A third function of the NHRI is to bring an end to polarization, intolerance, conflict, fear and insecurity This is not happening, as far as I can detect.
There have been a few meetings conducted by the organ in various parts of the country, but none of them has resulted in any meaningful discussion of the real issues pertaining to the violence that occurred during Gukurahundi, or the 2008 election campaign. It is very unlikely that the NHRI will be able to tackle the real issues that are involved in the political polarization of this country.
There is still a lot of political intolerance, especially among supporters of Zanu (PF), who openly state that there is no GNU in such places as Muzarabani. What has the NHRI done to discipline the perpetrators of this kind of intolerance? Further, there is still a lot of fear and intimidation that is being promoted by Zanu (PF) elements who are canvassing for the adoption of the sick Kariba draft as the basis of the new constitution.
The NHRI is also required to promote programmes to compassionately address the economic and social needs of victims of political violence and related maladies. It befuddles the mind how the organ is expected to undertake this enormous task. Our current understanding is that the organ is grossly under-funded and limited in scope. I doubt that it has even attempted to identify of the victims of political violence in any of the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe.
What resources does the NHRI have that can be used to address these social and economic needs of the victims? Where will such resources come from when the inclusive government is unable to pay civil servants a decent salary?
This is, however, one area that international donors would be willing to provide assistance for, but only if the right approach is engaged in identifying the victims, exposing the truth of what happened to them, and taking measures to ensure that justice is done by way of subjecting the perpetrators of political violence to the laws of the land.
There cannot be any meaningful healing and reconciliation, let alone integration without truth and justice. We are all aware that the last thing the outgoing ruling party, Zanu (PF) would allow to happen is the creation of a Truth and Justice Commission (TJC) to deal with issues of political violence in this country. God bless Zimbabwe.
Post published in: Opinions