Silveira House Peace Conference

Written by Administrator Friday, 01 June 2012 09:29

Silveira House hosted a conference on May 31st, entitled "Consolidating our efforts at promoting peace in Zimbabwe".

Speakers included representatives of all three main political parties, MDC-T Minister of Information Technology Nelson Chamisa, MDC Deputy National Chairman Chamunorwa, and Zanu(PF) Ambassador to South Africa S.K. Moyo.  

Other speakers included Tabitha Khumalo from JOMIC which is responsible for monitoring implementation of the Global Political Agreement,  Sekai Holland from the Organ on National Healing and Reconciliation,Emilia Muchawa of Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association. and Dr David Kaulem of the African Forum for Catholic Social Teaching, Fr Fidelis Mukonori, and Silveira House Director Fr Gibson Munyoro.

A recurrent theme coming up in the discussions was the failure of state institutions,e.g. police and the courts, to do their job because of interference from politicians.  Chamisa urged politicians to give the police space to do their professional job, and questioned who exactly is it who is directing their operations from the top.

SK Moyo quoted his party's motto of Unity leading to Peace, in turn leading to Development.  However, some questioned the methods by which some people attempt to create such unity.

Khumalo pointed out what a very high reputation the Zimbabwean security forces have when they do peacekeeping operations in other countries, and that they receive very professional training.  Why is it, she asked, that they have such very different behaviour and reputation at home?  She said how JOMIC is extremely upset at the recent murder of Cephas Magura in Mutoko, where the victim fled to police for protection, but the police failed to intervene to prevent his murder. 

Other speakers pointed out that, business persons have a code of business ethics, and health personnel follow medical ethics, so also we need politicians to subscribe to a code of political ethics.