Challenges Of Peacebuilding In Matebeleland North And South Provinces-Zimbabwe

This thesis is entitled “The Challenges of Peacebuilding in Matebeleland North and South Provinces. Zimbabwe (1980-2010).” The main objectives of this study include to  establish the major factors contributing to failure of peace-building in the Matabeleland North and South Provinces. Another objective of the study is to evaluate the approaches that can be used to achieve sustainable peace building in the two provinces. Some of the research questions were: What are the major reasons for the failure of peacebuilding and reconciliation processes in Matebeleland North and South Provinces? 

The rational for the study is that some of the findings of the study will assist government and non- state actors to learn peacebuilding process to avoid similar mistake like those that were committed in the dark period of 1982 to 1990 in the western Zimbabwe. More importantly, other beneficiaries in the government include The Organ on National Healing and Reconciliation, Trauma Centre. It will assist researchers as well as policy makers, institutions such as those dealing with peace, governance, conflict on how to deal with post conflict situations. 

The design of the study was qualitative because the topic dealt with emotions and feelings of the people who were involved in the conflict. The research used purposive sampling technique in selecting the majority of respondents. Data was gathered through interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions.

The major findings do indicate that the government has not been sincere in peacebuilding efforts and reconciliation was not properly implemented and that the communities in Matebeleland provinces remain divided. There were no laws that were instituted to deal with reconciliation and peacebuilding matters. In addition, properties of the opposition PF ZAPU were confiscated by the government in 1982 under the pretext of arms caches discovery. The study concludes that the government has not made any apology for all the killings which were done by government forces. The study recommends that government should make full acknowledgement of all the killings and compensate the regions affected. In addition, there is need to establish Truth and Reconciliation Commission to handle all the cases of violence. Finally establish framework for dealing with national healing of the nation and to unify all the citizens.