New Zimbabwe law raises concerns about gagging NGOs

Zimbabwean non-governmental organisations (NGOs) fear that the government could close them down after the Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that gives the government greater control over their operations.

The Private Voluntary Organisation Amendment bill was initially crafted to combat international money laundering, according to the Ministry of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

It was expanded to regulate operations of NGOs and how they are funded.

The Zimbabwean government has often accused Western governments of using NGOs to destabilise the country to benefit the opposition.

NGOs have increased in number in Zimbabwe to provide services to communities struggling with the economic crisis.

The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (Nango), an umbrella body with close to 800 active members, believes that some of the bill’s clauses are repressive and will limit work in vulnerable communities.

“Right now, we have seen a decline in inflow of funding and some development partners are hesitant to issue grants,” Nango director Ernest Nyimai told the BBC.

“Some partners have said they will leave if the law is enacted,” he added.

Nango’s diverse membership offers an array of services including healthcare, distributing medicines to at-risk communities, financing income generating projects and food distribution.

Veritas, an organisation which analyses Zimbabwe’s laws and the work of parliament, believes that sections of the bill violate the constitution’s right to freedom of speech and association.

Among other concerns, it says the proposed law will give the minister of public service power to control associations of any kind - companies, partnerships, social clubs and trusts - and that there will be no appeal against a decision made against an organisation.

The government says the law will stop international organisations from channelling funds to the opposition through the NGOs.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa now has 21 days to sign or reject the bill.

Last month, Zimbabwe deregistered 291 NGOs citing their failure to submit annual tax returns, as well as national security reasons and allegedly straying from their mandate.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: TimesLIVE