Harare – President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s decision to sign the controversial Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill into law has triggered an immediate and damaging response from the European Union (EU), which has withdrawn crucial funding intended to assist Zimbabwe in its debt restructuring negotiations.
The move casts a long shadow over the country’s already fragile economy and threatens the livelihoods of countless Zimbabweans who rely on the support of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Mnangagwa’s decision, which ignored repeated warnings from various quarters, including United Nations human rights experts, to reconsider the legislation, is widely seen as a significant blow to democratic principles and civic space in Zimbabwe. The PVO Act grants the government sweeping powers to monitor and control the operations of NGOs, including scrutinising their ownership structures, funding sources, and affiliations.
The EU’s swift response underscores the international community’s deep concern over the implications of the PVO Act for civil society and human rights in Zimbabwe. EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Jobst von Kirchmann stated that the signing of the law had reinforced negative trends on governance.
The new law, gazetted on Friday, amends five major pieces of legislation, including the PVO Act, the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act, and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Critics argue that the PVO Act amendments grant authorities extensive power to monitor and control the operations of private voluntary organisations, including the ability to scrutinise their ownership structures, funding sources and affiliations.
The legislation has been met with widespread condemnation from civil society and human rights defenders, who argue that it grants the government excessive control over NGOs, potentially limiting their ability to operate freely and compromising their independence and autonomy. Key concerns surrounding the PVOs law include restrictions on civic space, potentially limiting the ability of NGOs to operate freely, and government control, which could compromise their independence and autonomy. Critics say the new law may exacerbate the challenges faced by NGOs and other organisations reliant on external support.
In fact, last year, four United Nations rapporteurs on human rights wrote to Mnangagwa urging him to refrain from signing the then bill into law, describing it as an assault on democratic principles.
In a letter to the Zanu PF leader, the rapporteurs said they had communicated their “grave concerns over the severe penalties imposed by the Amendment Bill, including imprisonment for non-compliance with the minister’s prescription” on how non-governmental organisations must run their affairs.
“Although the new Bill includes relevant clarifications regarding the prohibitions of political partisanship for PVOs and reduces fines, it remains very problematic that it maintains the general prohibition, including the criminal offence of supporting or opposing any political party or candidate in any election, among others.”
The government claims the law is designed to enhance financial accountability and combat money laundering, terrorist funding, and criminal financing of political activities. However, critics argue that these claims are merely a pretext for stifling dissent and consolidating power.
Zanu PF, the sponsors of the new law, have never hidden the fact that they want it to be used against their opponents in order to gain an advantage on the political playing field. The ruling party, which is accused of running down Zimbabwe’s economy and using unorthodox means to remain in power, accuses NGOs of funding the opposition.
However, the truth is that NGOs have in the past 45 years provided a lifeline for Zimbabwe’s poorest who often struggle to get government support in times of hunger and disease outbreaks. NGOs provide support to the poor to access education, health and other social services, which the government has consistently failed to deliver. It is false to say NGOs exist in Zimbabwe to influence the country’s politics.
Now that Mnangagwa has signed the PVO Amendment Bill into law we should expect many international well-wishers to start withholding money meant for Zimbabwe’s NGOs. This will result in many organisations ceasing their operations and throwing their employees onto the streets.
The catastrophe is not just about the poor losing their livelihoods, but the economy will take a serious knock as well as the money that flowed into NGOs also found its way into Treasury’s coffers.
Mnangagwa has proven to many doubting Thomases that he is not a disciple of democratic principles by introducing a law that would make the former Rhodesian leader Ian Smith green with envy.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has done further damage to his legacy by signing the controversial Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill into law and would be remembered as an authoritarian just like his predecessor Robert Mugabe.
The consequences of Mnangagwa’s decision are likely to be far-reaching. With international donors poised to withhold funding, many NGOs will be forced to scale back or cease operations altogether, leaving vulnerable communities without access to essential services.
