Home #StopThePVOBill Critics Rap Government Over PVO Bill

Critics Rap Government Over PVO Bill

by Bustop TV News

By Lloyd Takawira

Government has been roundly condemned for pushing for the enactment panel beat the  Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) act Chapter 17:0 in a bid to restrict the operations of NGOs in the country.

Analysts and activists who spoke to Bustop TV said the PVO Bill is a clear attempt by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to shrink the democratic space.

Political analyst Frank Chauke said: “The proposed legislation is a tactic to further marginalise, and eventually purge altogether, NGOs and civic organisations that are likely to threaten the political hegemony of the ruling party, particularly before the crucial 2023 harmonized general election”.

Samuel Meso a human rights activist Samuel Meso believes the PVO Bill will target civic movements in the field of democracy, good governance and human rights.

The amendment of the PVO Bill is proof that more draconian laws will be enacted.

“If the legislation is to  be passed, it will certainly threaten the survival of NGOs and place human rights activists at risk.

“Already in effect, are some draconian laws such as the Data protection act and the Patriotic act. It is evident that already the democratic space is being constricted everyday. These are meant to restrict the effective functioning of civil society organisations, the proposed PVO Bill will provide the government with broad powers, which will allow it to halt the operations of PVOs altogether”.

 Activist and director of Youth Against Corruption (YAC) Owen Tsaurai blasted the bill which he said is an infringement of citizens right to privacy and association.

“The government is ill informed on a number of things. Firstly, that Private Voluntary Organizations are competitors yet they complement it. Secondly, that the constitution provide for the freedom of association so the bill has many unconstitutional clauses.”

President Mnangagwa’s administration is claiming that NGOs need to be controlled as they are  interfering in politics. 

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This article was produced with financial support of the Content Creators Network.

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