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 non-governmental organisations. However, Veritas argues that the gazetted version does not match what was approved by Parliament.
Key discrepancies include the insertion of a preamble and a long title that were never debated, as well as alterations to the definition of the PVO Board and changes to registration timelines. Notably, while the Senate Bill proposed abolishing the PVO Board entirely, the gazetted Act reintroduces a revised structure for it.
“In light of these discrepancies, the amendment Act cannot be regarded as an accurate reflection of the Bill that was passed by the Senate.
“This effectively invalidates it because it does not represent the will of Parliament,” said Veritas in its legal analysis.
Veritas emphasised that under Section 131 of the Constitution, the same Bill must be passed by both the National Assembly and the Senate before receiving presidential assent and being gazetted.
“Clearly that did not happen in the case of the PVO Amendment Act,” Veritas stated, adding that “the Act is invalid.”
This is not the first time procedural flaws have plagued the Bill. In 2024, Veritas exposed similar inconsistencies, prompting President Emmerson Mnangagwa to return the Bill to the Senate.
To promote transparency, Veritas has published both the Senate-approved version and the consolidated PVO Act on its website for public scrutiny.
The concerns raised by Veritas come amid mounting pressure from more than 50 civil society organisations (CSOs), who have condemned the Act as “a draconian law that threatens to shut down civic space, criminalise CSOs’ legitimate activities, and undermine Zimbabwe’s constitutional democracy.”
CSOs argue that the legislative process was deeply flawed, with public consultations marred by violence and intimidation, and key committee recommendations omitted from the final text. Despite engaging with Parliament, the Ministry of Justice, and even President Mnangagwa himself, CSOs claim their contributions were ignored when the Act was suddenly gazetted without the promised Executive dialogue.
International actors have also voiced concern. Four UN Special Rapporteurs warned the legislation would have “grave consequences for the exercise of civil and political rights”, criticising the government for disregarding its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Adding to the controversy is the removal of a clause referencing compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards—particularly striking given Zimbabwe’s removal from the FATF grey list in 2022. Observers suggest this signals a deliberate shift away from international norms and an effort to justify stricter control over CSOs.
Taken together, the procedural irregularities and broader opposition from civil society and international bodies paint a troubling picture of democratic backsliding. Veritas’ declaration of invalidity adds significant weight to growing calls for the Act’s repeal and a renewed commitment to constitutionalism and inclusive governance.