By Staff Writer
FOREIGN envoys have warned government that the failure to withdraw the PVO Bill will strip Zimbabweans of the much needed social protection and welfare support which has been largely supported by the donor community.
Government moved to incept the PVO Bill last year in a bid to bring the operations of the NGOs under close scrutiny arguing that the sector is working towards derailing the economic progress for this country.
This week, Information Secretary Nick Mangwana confirmed the concerns raised by the donor community in a meeting with government officials.
NGOs view the amendments as oppressive and unconstitutional because the piece of legislation aims to abolish civil society organisations (CSOs) and their operations in Zimbabwe.
Historically, the Government of Zimbabwe has viewed NGOs, particularly those in the human rights and democracy cluster, as anti-establishment, pro-opposition and pushing for regime change.
Although NGOs claim that they are non-partisan, government has accused them of abusing Western donor funds to prop the opposition.
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum executive director Musa Kika said diplomatic engagement over issues of development and governance was imperative for sharing perspectives, ideas and good practices.
“Diplomatic missions in Zimbabwe through their development agencies provide the bulk of social protection support to Zimbabwe, including supporting development initiatives by both State and non-State actors,” Kika said.
“This is going to be disrupted in many ways if that law is passed, thus this engagement is in fact inevitable. As to whether the government will listen, time will tell through government’s action, but the government will be well advised to drop what will close civic space and disrupt the little social protection there is in Zimbabwe mainly through NGOs and development partners.”
Efforts to get a comment from Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi were fruitless, but the Bill is at an advanced stage of crafting.
