Zimbabwe’s new NGO law ‘threatens civil society’ warns rights group
By News correspondent A controversial new law regulating non-governmental organisations in Zimbabwe risks silencing dissent and undermining democratic freedoms, a local media watchdog has warned. The Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Act, which came into force in April, gives sweeping powers to government regulators and criminalises loosely-defined “political activities” by NGOs. Valentine Maponga, media officer at […]
Zimbabwe NGO law tightens oversight and penalties, lawyers warn
By Bridget Mabanda A leading Zimbabwean law firm has warned that new legislation governing non-governmental organisations significantly expands government powers and imposes stricter obligations on charities and civil society groups. The Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Act, which came into force in 2025, grants enhanced authority to the Registrar of PVOs and introduces tougher penalties for […]
Zimbabwe NGO law will force allies into ‘self-censorship’, says teachers’ union
By Bridget Mabanda Zimbabwe’s new law regulating non-governmental organisations will force civil society groups into self-censorship and undermine their independence, a leading teachers’ union has warned. Obert Masaraure, president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), said the legislation would damage his organisation’s partnerships with charities that help defend children’s right to education. […]
Zimbabwe lawyers mount legal challenge to controversial NGO law
By Own Correspondent A prominent human rights organisation has launched a court challenge against Zimbabwe’s new law regulating charities and civil society groups, arguing it criminalises legitimate development work. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) filed an application at the Harare High Court on 16 May, seeking to have key sections of the Private Voluntary […]
Veritas Declares PVO Amendment Act Invalid Over Parliamentary Discrepancies
Harare – Legal watchdog Veritas has raised alarm over the validity of the recently gazetted Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Act, citing discrepancies between the final Act and the version passed by the Senate. The Act, published in the Government Gazette on 11 April as Act 1 of 2025, aims to overhaul Zimbabwe’s regulation of […]
FATF compliance, or repression? Zim record of NGO restrictions
The publication of the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) recommendations on combating the abuse of non-profit organisations is widely believed to have given wings to Zimbabwe’s long-stand desire to muzzle NGOs. The two versions of the Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Amendment Bill gazetted on 5 November 2021 and on 1 March 2024, have been condemned for […]
Why CSOs, Human Rights Experts Oppose Zimbabwe’s PVO Bill?
Local and international human rights organisations have condemned the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill in Zimbabwe as infringing on human rights and democratic standards. The condemnation of the Bill pushes back against the government’s claim that the law is meant to comply with the Financial Action Taskforce’s (FATF) recommendations on curbing terrorism financing through […]
PVO Bill, Govt Ignores CSO Concerns
The Private Voluntary Organisations (Amendment) Bill has been resubmitted to Parliament for debate after President Emmerson Mnangagwa had expressed reservations with the previous version. Parliament resumed sitting on 3 September after a hiatus during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit held at the New Parliament Building in Mt. Hampden, Harare, in August 2024. With […]
Navigating the Legal Maze: The Challenges of Compliance for PVOs
By Watmore Makokoba The landscape for Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs) in Zimbabwe is becoming increasingly complex as the government moves to amend the existing PVO Act. The proposed changes, aimed at regulating voluntary organizations to combat money laundering and political lobbying, have raised significant concerns among PVOs about their ability to operate effectively and maintain […]
What You Should Know Now About the PVO Bill
The Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill has concluded its Committee Stage in the National Assembly and is now awaiting review by the Parliamentary Legal Committee to assess its constitutionality. The bill, aimed at regulating non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Zimbabwe, has made significant legislative progress. Here’s a breakdown of the key developments: Committee Stage Completion: […]