Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
GOVERNMENT remains ready to work with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) who must, however, conform to the national values, priorities and aspirations, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Public Works, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Edgar Moyo said NGOs must never take a leading role but instead, they must abide by what the nation needs, not the other way round.
“Partnership with developmental partners and NGOs are welcome, but programming must be led by us, grounded in our national values, priorities and aspirations. NGOs must not lead us, we must lead them, we must show them our needs and not the other way round,” said Minister Moyo in his keynote address as he officially opened his Ministry’s five-day strategic planning workshop being held at a Bulawayo hotel.
The Minister’s call comes following President Mnangagwa’s signing into law the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Act, 2025 (the Amendment Act) on April 11, 2025.
The Act introduced significant changes to the Private Voluntary Organisations Act [Chapter 17:05] (the Act) as well as other related statutes. It expands Government oversight, tightens registration and reporting requirements, and enhances penalties for non-compliance. The Act aims to align Zimbabwe’s regulatory framework with international standards on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, while also curbing political involvement by PVOs.
It gives more power to the Registrar of PVOs, restructures the PVO Board, and imposes strict obligations on existing and new organisations. Trusts operating like PVOs are now brought under the same regulatory net. The Act also amends the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act to include provisions against the financing of weapons of mass destruction.
Bongani Ndlovu
Colletta Dube