29 NGOs suspended for defying Govt directive

The suspension follows the organisations’ failure to comply with the Government directive to submit certificates of registration and memorandum of understanding to the Provincial Administrator’s office within the stipulated period.
Among the suspended organisations are Strengthen and Output Markets Project, Soap, Choose Life, Community Based Aids Programme, Zimbabwe Community Development Programme (ZCDP), GYPCE, Centre for HIV/Aids Care and Agriculture, Ambassadors, Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), and Mucheke Community Conflict Centre.
Addressing NGOs representatives at Government offices in Masvingo yesterday, Governor Maluleke said he had taken the decision after realising that the organisations concerned had not submitted their papers within the given period.
The policy on operations of NGOs in humanitarian and development assistance in Zimbabwe 2003, as read with the Private Voluntary Organisation Act [Chapter 17:05] requires an NGO that operates at any level in the provision of humanitarian and development assistance in the country to be dully registered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
“In an effort to ensure the compliance of non-governmental organisations operating in the province we requested you to resubmit a certificate of registration together with the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the respective local authority to the Provincial Administrator’s office.
“An initial deadline of 21 October 2011 was given for all NGOs to comply with the directive. We later on extended the deadline to 31 December 2011 after realising that a majority of the organisations had failed to meet the October deadline,” said Governor Maluleke.
He said the PA’s office called for another meeting when organisations were reminded to resubmit their papers but some organisations still failed to take heed of the reminder.
“I, however, note with concern that your organisation has, up to date, not submitted its memorandum of understanding and certificate of registration to the PA’s office, as per my directive prompting me to believe that it is not lawfully registered and hence is operating outside the confines of the law.
“Given the foregoing, I am left with no option but to immediately suspend your organisation from doing any operations in Masvingo until all the requirements of the law are met. Please be guided accordingly,” said Governor Maluleke.
He said he had two successive meetings with NGOs, towards the end of last year aimed at streamlining their operations.
The two meetings were held after realisation that most organisations operated outside the confines of the law.
“They had become non governable organisations,” said Governor Maluleke.
While applauding the humanitarian assistance offered by a number of NGOs in the province, the Governor underscored the need for private entities to operate within the confines of the laws of the country.
“We do appreciate the work you intend to perform in the province and various districts and communities. We are made to understand that you come to complement Government as partners but like the bride or bridegroom you ought to inform the other partner about your activities,” said Governor Maluleke.
The Governor also appealed to all NGOs to respect the local leadership in areas that they operate.
Below is the list of suspended organisations:
Strengthen Seed and Output Markets Project, Soap, Choose Life, Community Based Aids Programme, Zimbabwe Community Development Programme (ZCDP), GYPCE, Centre for HIV and Aids Care and Agriculture, Ambassadors, Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), Mucheke Community Conflict Centre, Free the Child Trust, Precare, Liestomy Colostomy Zimbabwe Trust (ILO ZimTrust), Masvingo Plan of Hope, Rujeko Conflict Management Association, Youth and Environment Action Support Network, Care and Support Trust, Friends of the Blind, Advocacy and Literacy Trust, Rohr Zimbabwe, Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation, Care International-Bikita, Fact Mutare, Mvuramanzi Trust, Safire, Khula Sizwe Trust, Heifer Project, Pump Aid and Zvishavane Water Project.
Those referred to Social Welfare are: Jairos Jiri Association Mucheke, Zimbabwe Association of the Visually Handicapped, Zimbabwe Network of People Living with HIV and Aids, Chiredzi Christian Village, National Council of Disabled People of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children Association, Lining Way Capacity Development Organisation, Margareth Hugo School and Works for the Blind, Masvingo Community Based HIV and Aids Organisation, and Zimbabwe Aids Network (ZAN).