The NPRC is mandated as per the Constitution of Zimbabwe to perform the following ten interlinked functions:

1. to ensure post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation;
2. to develop and implement programmes to promote national healing, unity and cohesion in Zimbabwe and the peaceful resolution of disputes;
3. to bring about national reconciliation by encouraging people to tell the truth about the past and facilitating the making of amends and the provision of justice;
4. to develop procedures and institutions at a national level to facilitate dialogue among political parties, communities, organisations and other groups, in order to prevent conflicts and disputes arising in the future;
5. to develop programmes to ensure that persons subjected to persecution, torture and other forms of abuse receive rehabilitative treatment and support;
6. to receive and consider complaints from the public and to take such action in regard to the complaints as it considers appropriate;
7. to develop mechanisms for early detection of areas of potential conflicts and disputes, and to take appropriate preventive measures;
8. to do anything incidental to the prevention of conflict and the promotion of peace;
9. to conciliate and mediate disputes among communities, organisations, groups and individuals; and
10. to recommend legislation to ensure that assistance, including documentation, is rendered to persons affected by conflicts, pandemics or other circumstances

National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) was established in accordance with Section 251 of the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe. The statutory mandate was through the NPRC Act Chapter 10:32 which was enacted into law on 5 January 2018. The NPRC Act provides the statutory framework that operationalises the Commission. Through the Act, the scope of its work is defined and the role of various components of the Commission in accordance to its functions is further laid out. As provided for in the NPRC Act the Commission came up with its Regulations which were gazetted and await apporoval by Parliament.

The vision of the NPRC is “A peaceful Zimbabwe for all generations”.

The mission of the NPRC is “to Unite Zimbabweans for sustainable peace by developing mechanisms for resolving violent conflicts of the past and preventing their recurrence in the present and future

1. Confidentiality: Ensuring trust, respect and protection of the information and documents entrusted to the NPRC by the victims of violence. This is in respect to the victim’s dignity and recognition of the need to redress the past and ensure a sustained peace for Zimbabwe.
2. Inclusivity: Serving and encompassing Zimbabwean citizens with special recognition of the marginalised groups including women, youth and people with disabilities.
3. Ubuntu: The African spirit of “togetherness” that embodies the essential human virtues; compassion and humanity.
4. Transparency: A commitment towards openness, honesty and accountability in the duties and responsibilities of the NPRC to the citizens of Zimbabwe.
5. Victim-Centred: Providing the support, opportunities and empowering affected individuals as engaged participants in the peace and reconciliation process.

In accordance with section 3(2) of the NPRC Act the Commission will fulfil its mandate through the following:

1. conducts investigations into any dispute or conflict within the mandate of the Commission as set out in Section 252 of the Constitution or as provided by any other law; and
2. conducts research on(i) the nature, scope, extent and causes of disputes and conflict subject to the constitutional mandate of the Commission: or (ii) the intervening strategies for disputes and conflict referred to in subparagraph (i);
3. performs any other function that the Commission may be required or permitted to perform by or under this Act or any other enactment; and
4. subject to Section 342 of the Constitution, to do or cause to be done, either by itself or through its agents, all or any of the things specified in the Second Schedule, either absolutely or conditionally and either solely or jointly with others.

The NPRC is structured as follows:

1. NPRC Members (Commissioners):Under the leadership of the Chair, the Commission is the apex policy body. It oversees the operations of the Commission in accordance with the Act and drawing mandate from the Constitution.
2. NPRC Staff (Secretariat): Under the leadership of the Executive Secretary, the Secretariat is mandated to lead the development of annual work plans for effective implementation of the strategy. The Secretariat is the operational arm of the Commission.
3. NPRC External Committees:Four external committees   – Victim Support, Gender and Diversity; Prevention and Non-Recurrence; Healing and Reconciliation; and Research and Knowledge Management  serve as multi-stakeholder platforms for the Commission providing advisory support to the NPRC in accordance to the Act and Regulations.
4. NPRC Internal Committees:Three internal committees  –  Complaints Handling and Investigations; Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships; and Finance, Human Resources and Administration Committee play a supportive role to the Secretariat on issues of complaints handling, finance and administration and resource mobilisation.

The NPRC’s mandate is defined by the constitution and also spelt out in its Act. In executing its mandate the NPRC’s operations will be guided by its 2018-2022 Strategic Plan

The NPRC remains open to all citizens of Zimbabwe and values citizen and stakeholder participation. Participation in peace and reconciliation processes can be through collaboration, partnerships and supporting peace and reconciliation initiatives.