HARARE – The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) says poor funding by treasury has hampered its operations and further placed the under-fire peacemaker under abuse by social media trolls.

NPRC, mandated to promote national healing, unity, and peaceful conflict resolution, draws its funding from the national purse.

The commission has faced sharp criticism from some Zimbabweans who feel it has failed to discharge its responsibilities as mandated especially during last year’s tense by-election period in which some opposition activists faced victimisation by alleged cohesive state arms and militant Zanu PF opponents.

In a recent annual report covering the 2022 period, NPRC said late disbursement of finances by government has affected its operations.

“The overall challenges that impacted negatively on the Commission include delays in receiving financial resources for the implementation of Commission programs.

“Inflationary pressures which result in under-sourcing for programs as rising prices of goods and services reduce quantity and quality material purchased; and procurement delays as a result of the centralised Enterprise Resource Planning System,” says the commission in its report.

Last year, the Commission received resources to the tune of just over ZW$1 billion for all its operations.

In its report, the Commission also said polarisation was affecting its peacebuilding efforts in the country.

“Polarisation which is evidenced by a lot of negative responses on the Commission’s digital media sites; and in the field manifesting in the hesitancy by political actors to coalesce on the common goal of building peace.”

The Commission also attributed its operational nightmares on staff turnover.

“As at 31 December 2022, the Commission had a total number of 92 members of staff in post against a total establishment of 105 which is inadequate for the Head Office, regional and provincial offices.

“The greatest challenge faced in the year is high turnover with eighteen staff members at different levels having left the Commission in the year under review.”

Meanwhile, the Commission is currently undertaking a two-month nationwide peace campaign ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections expected August this year.

As part of its mandate, the Commission is required to ensure post-conflict justice, healing, and reconciliation.