Govt bans NGOs

Government on Thursday banned all non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private voluntary organizations (PVOs) which defied directives to report to Harare Provincial Development Coordinator, Tafadzwa Muguti , while threatening to unleash law enforcement on organizations who will not comply.

Only 40 NGOs will remain operating in Harare following Muguti’s action.

The development comes after President Emmerson Mnangagwa in October 2020 said Zimbabwe will be reviewing regulations governing the conduct of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in the country.

In a letter Muguti published the names of the organisations that submitted their credentials to his office, giving them the green light to continue operating under scrutinization.

He ordered the NGOs to submit monthly work plans of their intended activities and summoned directors of the NGOs to his office.

“The enlisted NGOs have been permitted to conduct their operations within Harare Metropolitan province subject to complying with the outline procedures.”

“Those that failed to comply with the request on June 30, 2021, shall with immediate effect be stopped by law enforcement from conducting any operations whatsoever until they fully comply with the policy, in particular obtaining a resolution from the provincial development committee and recognition by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution,” reads the statement.