By Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged the 10th Parliament to swiftly conclude work on the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Bill, a measure set to impose tighter controls on NGOs and narrow the country’s civic space.
This bill was introduced in November 2021 aimed at countering terrorism and preventing political lobbying by non-governmental organisations.
NGOs and CSOs have been condemning the proposed legislation, criticizing it for seeking to stifle their activities through strict provisions that would place them under direct government oversight.
These measures include monitoring their transactions and granting the state the authority to shut down any operations it deems counterproductive to its interests.
However delivering a State of the Nation Address, unmoved Mnangagwa said:
“May I preface the legislative segment of my address by highlighting that Parliament has an obligation to expedite the enactment of all Bills that, for one reason or another, are outstanding from previous Sessions of the August House.
“The list includes bills relating to: Persons with Disabilities; Administration of Estates Amendment; Civil Aviation Amendment; Death Penalty Abolition; Parks and Wildlife Amendment; Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment; and Mines and Minerals Amendment,” he said.
This is despite expectations from some segments of society who wanted the legislative process to restart since the previous Bill had expired before becoming law.
Meanwhile, many human rights and humanitarian organisations have also been urging Mnangagwa to turn down the bill which has been awaiting the Presidential signature after sailing through parliament and senate.
Besides shrinking the civic space, experts fear the bill may derail efforts to render humanitarian support with estimates saying the country will likely lose US$1 billion annually as a result.
