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Suspension of NGOs
Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD)
February 02, 2012

The suspension of non-governmental organizations by the governor of Masvingo province Mr Titus Maluleke was unprocedural and highly subjective. It is strongly based on false and unfounded allegations, allegations rather frivolous and vexatious.

The governor never consulted the relevant stakeholders and unilaterally came to the summation that it was right to suspend the non governmental organization without considerations of the repercussions it have on the residents of Masvingo.

It is indeed a slap on the face of democratic practices ac culture that should cease if Zimbabwe is to develop. This closure of space is meant to make sure civic organizations don't maneuver in the democratization of our beloved Masvingo. Such an act is complete barring of the people in Masvingo to benefit and participate in the making and betterment of the province.

This is centralization of power and decentralization of despotism by the governor. This derails and obstruct the construction of a province and the nation at large. The governor completely disregarded the fact that the office of the governor is into being not because of the governor but the populace of Masvingo province.

For whose good is such suspension, is it justified? Prior to independence NGOs suffered at the hands of the Smith government despite their good works. This continued in independent Zimbabwe with civic organizations and human rights defenders being victims of government policies when ever the government of the day feels threatened for its undemocratic practices and this proceeded during the inclusive government with organizations such as Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust and Youth Forum being suspended in 2011 for no apparent reason.

During 2008 NGOs were branded as agents of regime change and through out the GPA this has become the normal than the exception. NGOs are the voice of the voiceless and provide checks and balances to the every government of the day and this explains why NGOs are persecuted whenever they pose a threat to the existing order.

In this case the Governor created his own crisis by suspending NGOs which have a greater mandate in the promotion of peace, tolerance, participation, human rights, civic education on contemporary matters and much needed humanitarian assistance .It seems the Governor is afraid of the transformation of Masvingo province being steered by NGOs especially when taking into cognisance the fact that NGOs have an insurmountably task in the forthcoming referendum and general elections.

COTRAD petitioned the Governor on the 15 February 2012 to reverse the suspension but did not respond. COTRAD therefore has given an ultimatum of 96 hours for the governor to respond failure of which will invoke demonstrations at the governor's office.

Visit the COTRAD fact sheet

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