Zimpapers Logo

Auxilia Katongomara/Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
THE National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) has called for national dialogue to resolve the prevailing challenges in the country.

Property worth millions of dollars was lost when protestors, mostly youths, ran amok, emptying and burning shops last week after the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) called for a three-day stay away.

The NPRC said it would soon be initiating a multi-stakeholder dialogue process to try and resolve the problems facing the country.

In a statement, the NPRC said it is concerned by the situation in the country.

“Going forward, the NPRC calls upon all key stakeholders to come to a national dialogue in order to share views on how to address the situation in our country and foster sustainable peace and development.

The NPRC is therefore initiating a multi stakeholder consultative dialogue process,” said the Commission.

It said it was committed to doing everything in its power to fulfil its constitutional mandate to prevent any situation that arises in the country from deteriorating into a national conflict.

“The NPRC hereby calls upon all people involved in the ongoing situation to exercise their democratic right peacefully and responsibly and desist from violence and violation of other citizen’s rights.

“The Commission calls upon all law enforcement institutions to preserve life, protect property and maintain law and order responsibly and with restraint,” reads the statement.

Meanwhile, Joshua Nkomo Legacy Foundation member and the late Father Zimbabwe Joshua Nkomo’s son, Mr Sibangilizwe Nkomo, also said dialogue is needed to address problems affecting the country.

He condemned violence and looting saying it has never been part of solutions in the country.

“This needs a national dialogue because this has exceeded political differences as it has degenerated into a social problem. This calls for a dialogue of people of all kinds regardless of their political affiliation. We should not just think of political dialogue because politicians are just thinking of their positions. They hardly think of all of us yet most of us are suffering in our communities,” said Mr Nkomo who has been advocating for Father Zimbabwe’s ethos of peace and unity.

He said the prevailing problems affecting the country need new voices to unite the people.

“There are culturalists that have never been engaged, cultural perspectives have never been interrogated in the country. Remember even Father Zimbabwe umdala also sought guidance from culturalists in the fight to liberate the country.

“There are churches that have never been involved in such dialogues, yet we have some churches always speaking out. Some of these churches now compete with political parties. There are so many organisations that can provide solutions and need to be engaged as well,” Mr Nkomo said. — @AuxiliaK