He said recent arbitrary arrests and state security searches at NGO premises would not deter humanitarian organisations from carrying out their mandate of saving lives through food distribution and other community based empowerment programmes.
“The NGO working space is shrinking with each day due to political interference. Some partisan government institutions come up with ridiculous demands before allowing NGOs to carry out their work,” he said. “These spurious requirements from local authorities range from demands for NGO work plans to up-front payment for operating licences and unjustified demands regarding Memorandums of Understanding.”
He said as a result of the harassment which manifested itself in different forms, the NGO working environment had become toxic and hostile. The election season was cited as the major contributing factor towards the intensified hostility.
“Given high chances of food shortages later this year, NGOs remain resolved to provide the needy with food requirements where possible,” said Mabwe, adding that organisations would scale up humanitarian assistance projects to assist vulnerable families in the best manner possible.
He said politicians and other partisan members of communities failed to appreciate that the sector’s activities complement progressive government efforts to improve the welfare of people, and urged NGOs to remain resilient and focused on their legitimate mission despite hardships encountered.
“There is life after elections. People should look forward to elections not to fear them,” he said. Nango would continue to engage government in the hope that it would understand that NGOs are not an enemy of the state. “Government and NGOs need each other and it is time the two shoulder the responsibility to ensure Zimbabwe moves forward without undue hindrances,” said Mabwe.
Several NGO and CSO officials including ZimRights national director Okay Machisa, Zimbabwe Peace Projects director Jestina Mukoko and Human Rights Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa have cases pending at the courts. On Friday 8 March 2013 Zimbabwe Civil Society condemned the state security behaviour as uncalled for.
“Zimbabwe Civil Society organisations condemn the sustained and escalating assault on non-governmental organisations involved in civic education, human rights monitoring, public outreach and service provision by the state.
“We have over a lengthy period of time taken note and documented the intensive obstruction of the work of NGOs and CSOs through intimidation, raids, issuance of vague and generalised search warrants, arrests, prosecution and persecutions,” read part of the statement.
Post published in: News