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Government gives "clarification" on suspension of NGOs
National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in Zimbabwe (NANGO)
June 13, 2008

The Government of Zimbabwe through the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Mr Sidney Mhishi, wrote on Friday 13 June to all NGOs/PVOs to give clarification on the order to suspend the field operations of all NGOs/PVOs. According to the letter of clarification; the suspension of field operations does not imply banning or deregistration of PVOs/NGOs. The latest communiqué from the government contradicts the position stated by "Deputy Minister of Information" Mr Bright Matonga carried in the Herald of 7 June which indicated that government had suspended all licenses of NGOs and would require them to re-apply for re-registration.

NANGO welcomes this clarification by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare as a positive step forward but one that needs to be substantiated by a tangible commitment to ensuring a positive operating environment for Civil Society particularly through halting the disruption of NGO activities and the raids by security operatives, as well as ensuring space for all organisations to carry out their duties in a non-partisan manner and in line with International Humanitarian Standards and Principles.

The clarification document defines field operations as activities that imply "movement by NGO personnel into communities in order to mobilise, organise or bring together large numbers of people". Thus it attempts at legitimising the denial of the fundamental freedoms of association, assembly and the right to development.

The clarification explains that "the suspension does not imply banning operations at Head Offices, Regional and District Offices are not affected, except field operations". However a number of Organisations including the NANGO Regional office in Gweru have been forced to close down their offices by representatives of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

It is important to note that the clarification gives positive recognition of the threats that a blanket suspension would have on constituencies such as children receiving supplementary feeding and People Living With HIV/AIDS whose very lives are put at risk by the stoppage of Home Based Care and Anti-Retroviral Therapy.

According to the clarification, the suspension was initiated so as to allow "for fair and transparent investigations" into allegations that PVOs/NGOs involved in humanitarian operations were breaching the terms and conditions of their registration by engaging in political activities. By implication the suspension will therefore last until the said investigations have been completed. This would be the first time that a formal investigation into the political activities of the NGO sector has ever been initiated by government. The document did not go further to give clarification as to which Organisations are under investigations or who is conducting the investigations. Further it is not clear whether criminal charges would be levelled against such NGOs.

It is NANGO's hope that the said investigations will be expeditiously and urgently completed to allow the uninterrupted resumption of all NGO field operations including those of a civic nature.

Addressing a rally in Silobela on Sunday 15 June 2008, President Robert Mugabe gave further elaboration on the government's motivation in suspending the operations of Non Governmental Organisations. In his speech the President implied that the Government has actually closed down NGOs pending further investigations (Ikozvino takavavhara, tavakuda kuvaongorora); a position that members of the security establishment, Local Government officials and other entities are variously enforcing. According to the President, the 'Government" suspended Non-Governmental Organisations because "they were using food handouts as a weapon to effect illegal regime change" ostensibly by urging aid recipients to vote for the MDC and not ZANU PF. The President further alleged that "some NGOs collected people's national identity cards and did not bring them back, disenfranchising these people". NANGO refutes these claims as being baseless.

The ZANU PF government's intolerance and suspicion of Non Governmental Organisations is not a new phenomenon. President Mugabe is on record as having publicly labelled the NGO sector as "hatcheries of political opposition" and "conduits of foreign interference in Zimbabwe's national affairs" a position which has been hardened over the years.

NANGO reiterates that the NGO sector has meticulously endeavoured to remain non-partisan and to adhere to International Humanitarian Standards and Principles. Further NANGO does not regard the said investigations into NGO operations to be sufficient grounds to jeopardise the humanitarian needs of millions of Zimbabweans who are being supported by NGO "field operations" or as a basis for the continued victimisation of Civil Society Activists, Human Rights Defenders, Aid workers, Election Monitors or other personnel linked to the NGO sector. An appeal contesting the closure of an Organisation in Gweru on the basis of the suspension circular has been lodged at the Bulawayo High Court.

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