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Suspension of NGO operations in Masvingo by the Masvingo Governor illegally and politically motivated
Bulawayo Agenda
February 17, 2012

Bulawayo Agenda condemns the Masvingo Provincial Governor, Senator Titus Maluleke's suspension of civil society organisations operating in Masvingo, which was effected by a public proclamation on 14 February 2012. We believe this action has no legal basis and is a politically motivated move meant to instil fear and intimidation to Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) servicing the Masvingo communities.

We view this action as a logical build up of the ZANU PF congress resolution that there should be "deregistration of non-governmental organisations that act as conduits of regime change". We also regard this as routine persecution of NGOs and attempts to paralyse their activities, particularly when there is an impending election as was the case in June 2008.

This action is a sign that there is no political willingness on the part of ZANU PF to democratize the public and political space for citizens and development agencies to operate. We realize that there is a section of the inclusive government that is caught in a time warp and is failing to recognise that NGOs are development partners who work to compliment government efforts in national reconstruction and development.

We challenge the Governor to clarify what legal basis informs his position, considering that local NGOs operate legally on the basis of the laws of this country that require that they be registered and there is no provision or requirement for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). We also understand that our activities, particularly public gatherings are governed by the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and there is no provision that requires that and MOU be signed with the Governor's office.

We call upon the Governor to withdraw his proclamations, in view of the fact that the governor has no legal mandate, to cancel or suspend the operations of NGOs. These organisations work in compliance with the country's laws governing the operations of civil society, the NGOs and Public Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) as well as Trusts. We find the Governor out of order in terms of appreciation of the constitution of Zimbabwe which guarantees the freedom of association and the additional freedoms of assembly, demonstration, speech and petition which all fulfil the right to freedom of assembly.

Section 21 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that; "Except with his own consent or by way of parental discipline, no person shall be hindered in his freedom of assembly and association, that is to say, his right to assemble freely and associate with other persons and in particular to form or belong to political parties or trade unions or other associations for the protection of his interests."

We also call upon the principals of the inclusive Government to immediately give a position on this matter that favours the full implementation of the GPA provisions and to put out a press statement that condemns and publicly disassociates itself with the Governor's statement.

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