Staff Reporter

Zimbabweans have voiced a strong support for the Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Bill, which seeks to regulate Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating within the country.

Advocates of the bill argue that it will enhance transparency and ensure that NGOs adhere to national laws and values.

Talent Dhiyu, a resident of Bindura, emphasised the importance of the bill in clarifying the roles and intentions of NGOs.

"I support the PVO bill because it mandates NGOs, that are truly committed to helping people to register, allowing us to understand their objectives, whether they are benevolent or have hidden agendas," Dhiyu stated.

She further highlighted the cultural and legal frameworks that NGOs must respect.

"Zimbabwe is a country of laws, cultural, and moral values that must be upheld. Allowing NGOs to operate without adherence to these principles could have detrimental effects,” she added.

Echoing these sentiments, Anton Zunzanyika from Hurungwe voiced concerns over NGOs overstepping their mandate.

"It's essential that there be a registrar of PVOs to ensure they stick to their intended purposes and not meddle in the politics or threaten the security of our country. Some NGOs have become a security threat with their continuous political involvement and potential for military activism," Zunzanyika explained.

The call for stricter oversight comes in response to observations that many Western-funded NGOs have strayed from their declared missions, becoming actively involved in the nation’s political, advocacy, and electoral arenas.

Chinhoyi University of Technology senior lecturer, Professor Patrick Mamimine, articulated the need for NGOs to align with national goals.

"We welcome NGOs to Zimbabwe as they contribute positively, but their operations should be consistent with our laws and developmental objectives. Before starting their activities, they should clearly state their intentions to the Registrar. If their goals don't align with our country’s direction, they should reconsider their presence here," said Prof. Mamimine.

Critics of the current NGO framework argue that many organisations have ceased to be accountable to Government authorities and traditional leadership, with some promoting Western values that conflict with local norms and others being implicated in fostering civil unrest.