Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
The Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Board is considering 200 applications for approval at its ongoing three-day meeting in Mutare, reflecting growing interest in operating under the PVO framework.
The Private Voluntary Organisations Act (Chapter 17:05) is the primary law governing non-profit, charitable and civil society organisations in Zimbabwe, requiring formal registration with Government through the PVO Board and compliance with the country’s statutes.
In his keynote address on Thursday, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo, said he was perplexed by the volume of applications and stressed the need for alignment with national priorities and security protocols.
“We also have to see that there is an alignment on what they intend to do and our country’s priorities. We are looking at whether some of the applications do not contravene our security protocols or other considerations such as money laundering. So this exercise is very important for the Government,” he said.
“I was, however, perplexed about the amount of work that they have. This is just too much. They are having over 200 applications to consider in these three days. That is phenomenal.
“I am not sure why we have so many applications, but when you look at the applications themselves, you find that it is people who have a passion to come into communities and provide support and complement Government services.”
Minister Moyo said Government will maintain its grip on registration of PVOs by ensuring that those seeking mandates against the country’s laws are not approved.
“This is a new area of the new PVO dispensation and there has been a lot of uncertainty here and there, a lot of litigation around it,” he said.
“But I think the picture is now becoming much clearer. Some people who were not sure of what could be happening are now appreciating where we are coming from and what is happening, hence the huge number of applications.
“Here and there, there have been applications that contravene Government laws and those have been declined. Some have gone on to appeal, but the law will take its course. Basically, we need to follow the law as a country and make sure that our values as a country are upheld.”
Minister Moyo underscored the importance of the PVO Board in safeguarding the country’s image on money laundering as Zimbabwe undergoes mutual evaluation.
“We are meeting at an important time for the regulation of private voluntary organisations. The country is undergoing Mutual Evaluation by the East and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG),” he said.
“There is increased public attention on issues of accountability, financial transparency, beneficial use of donor funds, governance standards, and protection of the sector from abuse.
“At the same time, we must remain conscious that regulatory systems should not unnecessarily hinder legitimate developmental and humanitarian work. Our task is therefore to maintain an appropriate balance.”
Private voluntary organisations contribute significantly to humanitarian assistance, health services, child protection, education support, livelihoods, disability inclusion, gender programming, community resilience, environmental conservation, climate change and animal welfare, among others, while continuing to complement Government services in communities.
