Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa delivers a speech during his inauguration ceremony at the National Sports Stadium in the capital Harare, on Monday, September 4, 2023 [Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP]
The PVO Act, in simpler terms, transfers ultimate authority and control of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from private boards to the Government.
In essence, NGOs in Zimbabwe have now been converted into Government Owned Organizations as the law gives the responsible Minister powers to replace Boards and executive officers with their own appointees. The essence of independence is lost.
The Coalition asserts that the PVO Act is a well calculated strategy to achieve the 2030 agenda as it seeks to muzzle all critical and opposing voices to this undemocratic manoeuvring to extend the term of office for President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The Act will impact the operations of civil society organisations and this negatively impacts on democracy and civic engagement in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe continues to systematically witness mutilation of the constitution with the ruling party, ZANU PF manipulating the law for selfish political gains while weaponisation of the law has resulted in victimisation of pro-democracy and opposition activists.
The situation has been further compounded by judicial capture which has resulted in selective application of the law.
It is ironic that the ruling ZANU PF party leadership are beneficiaries of non-governmental organizations support during their years in detention before independence in 1980. Today, almost 45 years into Uhuru, they disable the very societal pillars which help the state to improve its own systems as well as human wellbeing.
It is very unfortunate that we continue to witness the continued reversal of the gains made when the country adopted its constitution (which was lauded as one of the most progressive) in 2013.
Restricting and criminalising the NGO sector in Zimbabwe will negatively impact the economy given the contribution of this sector to national development.
Statistics show that the NGO sector brings in over US900 Million per year into Zimbabwe’s economy. The PVO Act will certainly result in the reduction of foreign currency inflows. Eventually, this will have downstream adverse effects on the whole economy, particularly marginalized populations.
Way Forward
We reiterate that the PVO Act is unjust and not in tandem with the constitution.
Therefore, the Coalition will be engaging its membership and various stakeholders on a collective way forward to challenge this piece of legislation.
Our initial response is resolute: We will categorically reject and resist oppressive and unjust laws.
Therefore, we will use all available mechanisms in our constitution to fight this legislation.
Post published in: Featured