DELAYS by Zanu PF to replace the late Vice-President John Nkomo in the Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration (ONHRI) could scuttle peace programmes such as the signing of the code of conduct ahead of the next elections, it has emerged.
Report by Silas Nkala
ONHRI co-minister Moses Mzila-Ndlovu, who is also the deputy secretary-general of the MDC formation led by Welshman Ncube told, NewsDay yesterday that most of their programmes had been stalled because of the absence of a Zanu PF representative in the organ.
“Zanu PF has not seconded anyone to join us in the ministry,” said Mzila-Ndlovu. “This could be due to infighting in the party as this is a challenging position. We are seriously handicapped by the delays in Nkomo’s replacement. There are many things which we agreed on with Nkomo such as the parties’ code of conduct particularly on the issues of elections which is still hanging.”
He said when Nkomo died, the code of conduct was yet to be signed by the leaders of political parties in the inclusive government, President Robert Mugabe of Zanu PF, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara and Industry and Commerce minister Welshman Ncube.
Ndlovu said even though the code of conduct was an important initiative to curb violence, the problem was that it was not legally binding.
“It, is just a gentlemen’s agreement, but if people seriously want peace in the country the code is very good,” he said.
The minister said since the organ’s inception no peace programmes had been conducted where the victims and the perpetrators come together for reconciliation.
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Contacted for comment yesterday, Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo said no decision had been made concerning the replacement of Nkomo in the Organ of National Healing.
“We have not deliberated on that issue. When it happens you will always be told,” said Gumbo.
