Section 251: Establishment and composition of National Peace and Reconciliation
Constitution of Zimbabwe
Commission
(1) For a period of ten years after the effective date, there is a commission to be known as the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission consisting ofโ
(a) a chairperson appointed by the President after consultation with the Judicial Service
Commission and the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders; and
(b) eight other members appointed by the President from a list of not fewer than twelve
nominees submitted by the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders.
(2) The chairperson of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission must be a person who has been qualified for at least seven years to practise as a legal practitioner in Zimbabwe.
(3) If the appointment of a chairperson to the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission is not consistent with a recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, the President must cause the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders to be informed as soon as practicable.
(4) Members of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission must be chosen for their integrity and their knowledge and understanding of, and experience in, mediation, conciliation, conflict prevention and management, post-conflict reconciliation or peace- building.
Key Insight on National Peace and Reconciliation Commission
This section establishes a temporary commission (10-year duration) designed to address Zimbabwe's post-conflict needs. The careful appointment process involving multiple governmental bodies (President, Judicial Service Commission, and Committee on Standing Rules and Orders) creates a system of checks and balances. The qualification requirements emphasize both legal expertise for leadership and practical conflict resolution experience for members, reflecting the commission's serious reconciliation mandate in a nation with a history of political tensions.