ZIM LAWYERS FIGHT BACK AGAINST DANGEROUS PVO LAW
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) have taken a bold step. They went to the High Court. They want the new changes to the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Act to be removed. They say these changes are wrong, dangerous, and against the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
This law controls how private organisations like NGOs and charities are allowed to work in the country. But the new version gives too much power to government ministers. It also makes it hard for NGOs to work freely and help the people of Zimbabwe. That is why the lawyers are going to court.
ZLHR says this law stops important freedoms like the right to speak, to meet, to help others, and to own property. They also say it will scare away donors who help Zimbabwe with money for food, health, and schools. This means the poor and sick in Zimbabwe will suffer more.
The lawyers have filed a paper in court. In this paper, they are asking the judge to look at many serious problems in the law. They say parts of the law are not clear, others give too much power to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, and some sections don’t even allow for appeal if a group is banned or stopped.
Here are some of the main points the lawyers are asking the court to look at:
- Is section 4 (a) of the PVO Amendment Act clear or is it too vague to be a proper law?
- Does section 4 go against section 9 (5) and cause confusion in the law?
- Does section 9 (5) give too much power to the Registrar to approve or cancel any group, without the Board’s help?
- Does this same section break the Constitution by not allowing people to appeal the Registrar’s decision?
- Does section 13A unfairly force groups to register again even if they only change small things?
- Does section 14 give the Minister powers that are too strong and not fair under the Constitution?
- Is section 21 wrong because it allows the Minister to remove NGO leaders and put their own people in charge?
The lawyers are asking the court to cancel these sections. They want the judge to say that the law is not allowed under the Constitution and must be removed.
This case is not just about words on paper. It is about the future of freedom in Zimbabwe. If this law is not stopped, many good organisations will be afraid to help people. They will worry that the government will shut them down for speaking the truth or helping people the government has ignored.
ZLHR is doing what many fear to do. They are standing up against unfair power. They are using the courts to fight for what is right. They are reminding Zimbabweans that the Constitution is not just a book. It is there to protect the people. Even against their own government.
This is a very important time for Zimbabwe. The court must choose between allowing the government to control and punish NGOs, or stopping the law and protecting rights. If the court does not stop this law, Zimbabwe will lose more than money. It will lose its freedom.
The law is supposed to help people. But this new PVO law is hurting them. And ZLHR is right to challenge it.
This fight is not only for lawyers or NGOs. It is for every Zimbabwean who wants to live free. It is for the poor who depend on help. It is for the future of our country.
Let us hope the court will choose justice over fear. Let us hope the Constitution will win.
Thank you for breaking this down so clearly. This case is about protecting our rights, freedom of speech, freedom to organise, and freedom to help others. When government ministers can shut down NGOs without appeal, democracy dies. This legal challenge is timely and necessary. ZLHR is doing what many are afraid to do: standing up to unchecked power. We must support this case, our future depends on it.
This law isn’t about punishing help, it’s about preventing regime change agents from hiding behind charity. Real patriots should support this move.
Why are NGOs afraid of accountability? If they are doing genuine work, they should have no problem with government oversight. This law brings order, not oppression. ZLHR is always defending foreign-funded groups that push anti-government agendas. Let the government protect national sovereignty from external interference. The Constitution also calls for national security and public interest. NGOs must operate within the law like everyone else, no exceptions.
This isn’t just about NGOs ,it’s about every Zimbabwean’s right to speak, gather, and be helped. The court must strike down this abusive law.