Zimbabwe’s former deputy Minister of Justice during the GNU era, Obert Gutu might have to resign from the ruling ZANU PF which he joined recently if he is appointed a member of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.
The former opposition MDC-T spokesman is one of the 29 candidates who have been shortlisted for interviews to fill in vacancies at the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission which will be held in public in Harare on the 14th of April this year.
His resignation will be in line with section 236 of the constitution which specifically states that members of commissions are to be apolitical.
It is possible though for a political party member to be appointed to the commission, but he or she must relinquish party membership within 30 days of such appointment.
The constitution also stipulates that members of the 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.
This particular one has never been allowed to function beyond the fanfare of appointments! Kune inwe inonzi Gender Commission which can’t even tackle obvious cases in the Presidium!