Father Fredrick Chiromba of the National Transitional Justice Working Group (NTJWG) has expressed satisfaction on the inclusion of church leaders among the 33 shortlisted names of people to be interviewed for the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.
Speaking in Harare after the press conference addressed by the chairperson of the NTJWG, Alec Muchadehama, Father Chiromba said they were delighted that the church leaders had made it on the shortlist.
“Various organisations including the church were invited to submit names of people to sit on the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission and we did so we are glad some of the names we submitted appeared on the list,” said Father Chiromba.
He added that this is just a shortlist and not the final list saying they hope people nominated by the church will be in the NPRC.
“I hope some people from the church will be on the NPRC because basically this is the core business of the church, we are about reconciliation and peace,” he said.
Meanwhile, Father Chiromba who is also the Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) said the church fully supports the international day of truce as it is an important day in Zimbabwe.
“The day is important to all of us to observe and work in promoting truce in our nation,” he said.
Muchadehama expressed concern about the appointment process for the commissioners who will be appointed to the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.
“Thirty three candidates will be interviewed for possible appointment to the NPRC. Twelve candidates will be selected and the list will be presented to the President, who will appoint eight commissioners plus the chairperson,” Muchadehama said.
He went on to list the qualities which his organisation said the interviewers should be looking for in the prospective NPRC Commissioners adding the legitimacy and credibility of the commission will stand or collapse mainly on the quality of the person who will be appointed to it.
Muchadehama said the commissioners should be persons of unquestionable integrity with those of questionable moral stature, scandalous or suspicious behaviour having no place in the NPRC among other qualities.
Dr Chad Gandiya, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Harare, former Zimbabwe Ambassador to the United States Professor Simbi Mubako, Retired Justice Selo Nare Maselo, former Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe president Goodwill Shana and Getrude Zhuwawo are some of the candidates shortlisted for the NPRC.
Meanwhile, the interviews for commissioners will be held from 23 to 25 March 2015 in the Parliament Senate chambers.