[For Immediate Release] Zimbabwean CSOs Concerned About Enactment of Repressive Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Act

We, the undersigned Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Zimbabwe, express great reservation  on the enactment of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Act, a draconian law that threatens to shut down civic space, criminalise CSOs legitimate activities, and undermine Zimbabwe’s constitutional democracy. This repressive legislation represents an unprecedented assault on civic space, the rule of law, and the fundamental freedoms enshrined in our Constitution and international human rights instruments to which Zimbabwe is a party.

Since the Bill was first gazetted in November 2021, the CSOs tirelessly opposed its progression through extensive and genuine engagement with all arms of the government and various commitments were made to improve the text of the Bill. At the time of enactment, CSOs engaged the Attorney General’s Office with concerns as a precursor to a meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa. However, the engagement was not in good faith as the Bill was gazetted on 11 April 2025 prior to the promised engagement with the Executive. Preceding this, CSOs had made oral and written submissions to the Parliamentary Legal Committee, Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and participated in public hearings convened by parliament, as required by the Constitution. The issue of civic space was tabled as a critical agenda item in the Zimbabwe’s Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution Process, and submitted a formal position paper to the Ministry of Finance on 10 March 2023.

A significant milestone in CSOs advocacy was the meeting with President Mnangagwa on 17 March 2023, following which he temporarily withheld assent to the Bill — a hopeful indication of constructive engagement. At every stage, CSOs have advocated for regulatory reforms that respect the Constitution, preserve civic space, and ensure continued contribution to national development goals. However, the enactment of the PVO Amendment Act is a betrayal of dialogue and citizen involvement in governance.

CSOs recall the urgent letter from four UN Special Rapporteurs dated 17 December 2021, which warned that the Bill — now law — would “have grave consequences for the exercise of civil and political rights, including the right to freedom of association of PVOs in Zimbabwe.” A follow up letter was written by the four UN Special Rapporteurs dated 27 November 2024 expressing great reservation on how the PVO amendments did not comply with Zimbabwe’s United Nations treaty obligations. Following Zimbabwe’s review by the United Nations Human Rights Committee, the government was encouraged not to enact the PVO Amendments in their current state as these were not in compliance with its treaty obligations provided in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The enactment of this law, and the removal of the clause on need to comply with the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations (FATF) in the preamble, especially after Zimbabwe was removed from the FATF grey list in 2022, demonstrates a wilful disregard of global guidance. FATF and UN Special Procedures have recommended that the need for compliance with the FATF Standards and Recommendations should not be used as a justification for closing civic space by any country.

The legitimacy of the legislative process that also led to enactment of the Act, in particular the public consultations mandated under sections 139 and 141 of the Constitution were fundamentally flawed. Public consultations in Harare, Chinhoyi, Gweru, and Masvingo were marred by violence and intimidation, forcing legislators to abandon proceedings and silencing the citizen’s voices. At the same time, the Portfolio Committee recommendations, such as extending the transitional period to nine months, were ignored. Further, inconsistencies marred the legislative process, with amendments from the Committee stage omitted in the version that was passed by the Senate on 17 October 2024.

Given these flaws, the urgency to enact the law demonstrates suspicion by the state on the activities of CSOs. Contrary to this suspicion, CSOs in Zimbabwe have historically supported national development and human rights, from the liberation struggle to post-independence reconstruction. Over the past 3 decades, CSOs have delivered humanitarian assistance and emergency relief, supported health, education, and social protection initiatives, empowered marginalised communities, including persons with disabilities, women, and the youths, and contributed to governance reforms and the protection of fundamental freedoms. Rather than recognising the role of CSOs as genuine development partners, this law seeks to stifle CSO operations and criminalise genuine contributions.

Given these concerns, CSOs urgently call upon-

The Government of Zimbabwe to:

1. Repeal the PVO Amendment Act to safeguard civic space, constitutionalism and restore public trust.
2. Respect Zimbabwe’s regional and international human rights obligations, particularly under the ICCPR, UDHR, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
3. Commit to continued dialogue with all stakeholders aimed at creating an atmosphere, where CSOs can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the national development goals.

//ENDS//

List of Endorsing Organisations

1. Amnesty International – Zimbabwe
2. Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe
3. Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa
4. Bikita Residents and Ratepayers Association
5. Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association
6. Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association
7. Chitungwiza Residents Trust
8. Christian Legal Society of Zimbabwe
9. Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
10. Conscious Development and Empowerment Trust (CODET)
11. Community Podium
12. Community Youths Development Trust
13. Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development
14. Conscious Development and Empowerment Trust
15. Content Creators Network
16. Divine Foundation Trust
17. Gutu United Residents and Ratepayers Association.
18. Habakkuk Trust
19. Legal Resources Foundation
20. Media Alliance of Zimbabwe
21. Magamba Network
22. Masvingo Residents Forum
23. Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance
24. Masvingo Centre for Research Advocacy and Development
25. Masvingo Media Center
26. Matabeleland Pulse
27. Nurse Aides Association of Zimbabwe Trust ( NAAZT )
28. Simukai Residents Trust
29. Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network
30. South Western Region Gender Network
31. Sunshine Community Development Trust
32. United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (UCHIRRA)
33. Varsity Social Hub
34. Veritas
35. Vimbainashe Trust
36. WELEAD Trust
37. Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence
38. Women and Girls Matters Development Trust
39. Women’s Institute for Leadership Development
40. Women In Governance and Peacebuilding
41. Youth Forum
42. Zimbabwe Democracy Institute
43. Zimbabwe Council of Churches
44. Zimbabwe Human Rights Association
45. Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
46. Zimbabwe Institute
47. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
48. Zimbabwe Peace Project
49. Zimbabwe Women Against Corruption Trust
50. Zimbabwe Trust
51. Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations