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IMPACT |
Peace Begins at Home |
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In a container, sitting in a church yard in Nyanga, QPC has an office. By word of mouth, people in the community send their relatives or friends to find help in resolving conflicts. Some of the most common issues that the peace workers face are domestic disputes, and unfair labour practices. Matthews Tshofuti recounts how important the first task is to bring the parties in a dispute to the negotiating table. A man whose wife had thrown him out of the house because she objected to him having an affair, was referred to QPC by a friend. They went to the house, and the wife and husband both had the chance to put their grievances on the table, and hear each other. The couple own a Spaza shop, and the wife accused the husband of not bringing money into the house, and even stealing money from the house. To protect their business, the man had acquired a gun. But he used it to threaten her. She wanted him to stop having an affair, and for the gun to be taken away from him. He wanted to come home. If people are serious about having a peaceful resolution, the process of making compromises starts. Through the presence of the mediator, they come up with solutions to their own problems. But for the solution to work, people need the willpower to stick to their agreements. The gun was given into the care of QPC. Today, the couple are still living together, and the man no longer sees his mistress. With the help of QPC peace worker, Matthews, calm has been restored to their home. |
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