CHALLENGES OF PEACEBUILDING IN MATEBELELAND

The research questions were what are the major reasons for the failure of peacebuilding and reconciliation processes and the role of state and non-state actors Matebeleland North and South Provinces. 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 major findings 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.