ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of key issues and challenges around the question of national healing and reconciliation in Zimbabwe. It argues that Zimbabwe has never comprehensively attempted to prosecute and/or compel perpetrators or instigators of mainly political violence to publicly acknowledge their transgressions. The Organ on National Healing and Reconciliation formed during the life of the Inclusive Government, also known as the Government of National Unity, was an attempt to promote national healing and reconciliation in Zimbabwe following years of conflicts and violence among Zimbabwe after independence. Instead of acknowledging state and in some cases individual and party violence on innocent civilians, the national leadership has mostly attempted to reconcile the population at the political level by signing agreements with its rival parties. Violence in Zimbabwe has dehumanised victims and perpetrators, families and the nation's integrity and willingness to engage in genuine national healing and reconciliation processes.
