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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Chronicle Reporter
THE National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) will be decentralising its services to provinces as it seeks to enhance its role of promoting national healing, peace and reconciliation in line with the National Development Strategy 1.

In a statement to mark the International Day of Peace earlier this week, NPRC spokesperson, Commissioner Obert Gutu said there was need to create a sustainable path towards true unity, healing, reconciliation and to building a culture of unity, tolerance and harmonious co-existence.

The International Day of Peace is celebrated annually on September 21 across the world. Running under the theme “Recovering Better For an Equitable and Sustainable World” the day is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and people.

“To make the services of the commission accessible to citizens, we are finalising the process of devolving our structures and to date, regional offices have been set up in the Southern Region (covering Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South Provinces), Central Region (covering Midlands and Masvingo Provinces), Eastern Region (covering Manicaland and border areas of Mashonaland East and Masvingo Provinces) and Northern Region (covering Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East and Harare). The desire is to have provincial offices and we are working on mobilising financial and material resources to make this possible,” said Commissioner Gutu.

He said they were also developing a national social cohesion and reconciliation index which will help the commission in assessing the level of willingness to work together, integrate and collaborate for the good of the nation from time to time.

Commissioner Gutu said the commission acknowledges the efforts being made under the Presidential programme on Gukurahundi and significant efforts were being made to fulfil recommendations that had been submitted to Parliament by the commission in their 2019 and 2020 annual reports.

He said the World Peace Day was designated as the day to commemorate the call for global harmony, strengthening the ideals of peace and non-violence, alleviation of conflicts, cessation of intra and inter-state hostilities, and for mankind to make a pledge to peace, even despite our unique differences.

“This year’s theme is premised on the fact that as the world heals from the Covid-19 pandemic, nations are inspired to think creatively and collectively about how to help everyone recover better, how to build resilience, and how to transform our world into one that is more equitable, just, inclusive, sustainable and healthier. As the commission we are compelled to support this cause as one of our functions enjoins us to recommend legislation to ensure that assistance, including documentation, is rendered to persons affected by conflicts, pandemics and other circumstances’ (Section 252(j) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe),” he said.

Commissioner Gutu said during this year’s commemorations the commission seeks to reflect on the value of peace building in times of disasters and pandemics and make a commitment to building a peaceful Zimbabwe for all generations. He said they also wanted to raise public awareness on the role of citizens in promoting national unity and cohesion despite the challenging situations.

“The commission has noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly become a conflict multiplier in that worldwide; there is an increasing relational inquiry about trust between citizens and institutions; access to life saving vaccines by rich countries matched against developing nations, livelihood insecurities for citizens during lockdowns, rise in domestic and gender based violence, civil and political unrests, cross border and inter-state tensions, criminal related incidents and cases of stigma and discrimination all of which can easily become drivers of conflict,” he said.