ZIMBABWE’S WAR ON CHARITY: HOW THE PVO LAW KILLS FREEDOM

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights has taken the government to court over a law that is being used to stop freedom. This law is called the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Act. It is supposed to manage how NGOs and charities work in Zimbabwe. But now, the government is using it to control and punish people who help others.

The Lawyers for Human Rights went to the High Court. They say the law is now dangerous and must be stopped. The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and the Attorney-General are the ones defending this bad law.

In the court papers, the lawyers say this law is now being used to hurt human rights work. It stops people from helping others. It makes it very hard for NGOs to register, operate, or get money to help the poor. It also says anyone trying to do charity work can be punished like a criminal.

The law also breaks many freedoms. It takes away the freedom to speak, to meet, to form groups, and even to own property. It gives too much power to one minister, who can stop any organisation if he wants. The law does not explain properly how this power should be used. It is not clear, it is not fair, and it is not just.

The application by the Lawyers for Human Rights also says the law is badly written. It gives the Registrar of NGOs too much power. This person can now approve or cancel registrations without asking anyone else. Their decisions cannot even be appealed. That is not fair and it breaks the rules of justice.

The court is being asked to look at many parts of the law that are wrong. One part of the law (section 4) is said to be too vague and makes no sense. Another part (section 9) gives too much control to the Registrar without checks. This means the Registrar can decide the future of NGOs with no oversight. The law also forces NGOs to reapply every time something changes in their operations, which is not reasonable.

One of the worst parts is where the Minister can suspend the leaders of any charity and replace them with trustees. This means the government can take over any NGO it does not like. That is dangerous. It kills trust. It removes independence. And it kills the work that is being done to help the people of Zimbabwe.

The court papers also warn that Zimbabwe will lose a lot of support if this law continues. Every year, Zimbabwe receives millions of dollars in aid and donations to help poor and vulnerable people. If NGOs are stopped from working, this help will stop too. The people who will suffer the most are the poorest.

The lawyers say the following sections of the law must be removed because they go against the Constitution: sections 4, 5, 6, 9, 13A, 14 and 21. They are asking the court to declare them invalid and to stop the government from using them.

This is not just about lawyers or charities. It is about freedom. It is about helping people. It is about justice. The PVO law is being used as a weapon to silence good people. We must say no to that. Zimbabwe needs more kindness, not control. More help, not hate. More freedom, not fear.

Let’s stand with those who help others. Let us fight for the freedom to care. Because when charity becomes a crime, we are all in danger.