In a press statement, Mpariwa said she had received numerous reports of persecution of NGO members across the country.
“There has been an outcry by civic society members over continued police crackdown on its members and resistance by the local authorities and traditional structures for NGOs to operate in their areas despite having all necessary documents for them to provide humanitarian assistance.
“Millions of Zimbabweans depend on NGOs for assistance and denying them assistance will jeopardise the livelihoods of millions of Zimbabweans,” said Mpariwa.
Mpariwa said it was unfortunate the crackdown on NGOs was coming at a time the country was heading for elections.
She said the continued arrests of NGO members pointed to a rise in political tensions.
“As Zimbabwe heads for a constitutional referendum and general election this year, political tensions are rising again. What is disturbing is that incidences of harassment, arrest, unlawful detentions and office raids of civic society members countrywide are on the increase,” said Mpariwa.
Mpariwa said NGOs play a critical role in aiding government efforts to “meet the social needs of its citizens during this harsh period where Zimbabwe is under serious food deficit”.
In November last year, police raided offices of the Counselling Services Unit and arrested members of staff on allegations of harboring offensive and subversive material.
The CSU offers counseling and medical treatment to victims of political violence.
In December last year, ZimRights Programmes Manager, Leo Chamahwinya was arrested on allegations of manufacturing counterfeit copies of certificates of registration as a voter. Other people arrested in connection with the case included Dorcas Shereni, Tanaka Chinaka and Farai Bhani.
In January, the ZimRights boss, Okay Machisa was arrested on the same charges.
ZimRights is a non-governmental organisation that carries out advocacy and educative programmes on human rights.
Following the arrest of Machisa, a total of 56 NGOs said they will be presenting a list of grievances to the Southern African Development Community and the African Union.
On Wednesday police raided the offices of the National Youth Development Trust in search of certificates of registration as a voter.
The police went on to search the residence of NYDT Programmes Officer, Alfred Ncube.
Post published in: News
Cry the beloved country. What are they afraid of?The guilty are always afraid of their own shadows. FEAR means False Enemy Appears Real