Zimbabwe signs controversial NGO law, sparking condemnation
- Human Rights Research Center
- Apr 18
- 3 min read
Author: Aamnah Fatima Khan
April 18, 2025
HRRC strongly condemns Zimbabwe’s draconian PVO Amendment Act, which suppresses civil society and undermines fundamental freedoms. Criminalizing NGOs and stifling dissent under the guise of regulation is a grave attack on democratic space.
![Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa. [Image credit: Mike Hutchings/Pool Photo via AP File]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_674a3f651c3648eaac9d9c0406c560de~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_759,h_422,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_674a3f651c3648eaac9d9c0406c560de~mv2.png)
On April 11, 2025, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed the Private Voluntary Organizations (PVO) Amendment Act, which drew substantial condemnation from civil society, legal experts, and foreign parties. The legislation gives the government extensive authority over NGOs, including the right to deregister, dissolve, and take assets from non-compliant groups.
While the government claims the act's purpose is to combat money laundering and terrorism financing, others contend it is a weapon for repression ahead of elections. Legal expert Arnold Tsunga advised that legislation should not be discriminatory or interfere with freedom of association. The legislation imposes strong penalties, including up to 35 years in jail, and prohibits NGOs' capacity to seek donations without ministerial clearance.
Activist Benny Lutshani Moyo expressed concern about the law's chilling impact on civil society, claiming it might cripple NGOs' activities and deter overseas funders. His concerns reflect a larger conviction that the act is meant to suppress dissent and concentrate administrative power. The Act creates a regulatory body composed of civil society and ministry representatives to monitor the industry, although opponents remain dubious.
The international fallout was swift. The European Union has stopped its 2025 financing for Zimbabwe under the "structured dialogue framework," citing the country's failure to achieve civic space requirements. Human Rights Watch described the bill as a frontal assault on democratic principles, noting that it significantly restricts the freedoms of association and expression. UN experts urged Mnangagwa to reject the law, claiming it breaches African and international human rights norms. Zimbabwe, which is $21 billion in debt, now risks increasing isolation from foreign partners as civil society prepares for unprecedented legal and financial restraints.
Glossary
Assault – A violent attack or a strong criticism.
Breaches – Violations or breaking of a law, rule, or agreement.
Conviction – A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense.
Contend – To argue or assert a position or opinion forcefully.
Cripple – To severely damage or weaken something.
Deterrence (Deter) – To discourage someone from doing something through fear of consequences.
Discriminatory – Unfair treatment of different categories of people, often based on race, age, or gender.
Dissent – Disagreement with official or commonly held views.
Draconian – Excessively harsh and severe, especially in laws or rules.
Dubious – Doubtful or questionable in quality or truth.
Extensive – Covering a large area or involving a wide range.
Fallout – The negative consequences or results of an event or action.
Isolation – The state of being separated or set apart from others.
Legislation – Laws, considered collectively, that are enacted or proposed.
Ministerial clearance – Official approval required from a government minister.
Money laundering – Concealing the origins of illegally obtained money.
Penalties – Legal punishments or consequences for breaking a law or rule.
Prohibits – Forbids something by law or rule.
Repression – The act of suppressing freedoms or restraining people through force or control.
Substantial – Of considerable importance, size, or worth.
Suppress – To forcibly put an end to something, especially dissent or protest.
Terror financing – Providing financial support for terrorist activities.
Unprecedented – Never done or known before; without a previous example.
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