At present, trusts can work without government interference.Civic groups registered as trusts view this move as an ominous attempt on the part of government to scrutinise their operations and influence what they do.We view this an attempt by the government to interfere in the work of non-governmental organisations especially those working in the fields of human rights, said Fambai Ngirande, the spokesman for the National Organisation of Non Governmental Organisations (NANGO).
Organisations are also concerned that ministers have said the proposed amendments might be implemented even before being approved.
The government wants to amend the Private Voluntary Organisations Act to turn organisations operating as trusts into private voluntary organisations (PVOs).
The Act defines a PVO as any body involved in providing material, physical or social assistance to people, rendering charity to people in distress, providing assistance in uplifting standards of living, providing funds for legal aid, welfare or relief to people in need.
The Act excludes organisations working in religion, educational trusts registered with the High Court and political parties.
The PVO Act should be amended in regard to the definition of private voluntary organisations by the inclusion of trusts, read a memorandum send to NGOs by the government.
The government insists that only those organisations engaged in welfare work were exempted from registering as PVOs.
For the avoidance of doubt, it is felt that the Act should be amended to make it clear that a trust which falls within the definition of a PVO is obliged to register as a PVO before it can commence its activities, read the memorandum co-signed by the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs Patrick Chinamasa and Labour and Social Services Minister Paurina Mpariwa.
It further states that organisations involved the provision of welfare and relief activities must register as a PVO in future in order to become a trust.
Any NGO involved in the provision of welfare and relief from distress must register itself as a PVO. In future, registration as a trust by such an NGO must be preceded by registration as a PVO in terms of the Act.
NGOs involved in welfare and relief work that are already registered as trusts, but have not been registered as PVOs, must regulate their position by registering as PVOs, reads the memorandum.