HARARE – The Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs) Amendment Bill has breezed through Zimbabwe parliament and is now waiting to be examined by the Senate before being put up for the president’s signature.
The contentious PVO Bill has been collectively denounced by opposition parties and community organizations as being intended to limit non-governmental organisations operations (NGOs).
Despite opposition lawmakers complaining that they were treated unfairly, the Bill easily passed the National Assembly.
Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi was over the moon after the amendment was validated by the lower house of the country and expressed confidence Senate will do the same.
“The Bill has sailed through National Assembly and now waits for Senate, hopefully they will consider it and waits for Presidential assent,” said Ziyambi.
Fear has been raised that if the proposed law is voted into law in its current form, it will further reduce the democratic space in the nation and force the closure of numerous NGOs seen to be anti-government.
According to Norton lawmaker Temba Mliswa (Independent), the law’s approval would have an impact on a large number of people who rely on donations.
