Mnangagwa Signs PVO Bill into Law Amid Widespread Opposition

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President Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially signed the controversial Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill (PVO Bill) into law, despite strong opposition from local and international organisations. The legislation, which passed through Parliament over the past two months, grants the government extensive powers to regulate the operations of civic society organisations in Zimbabwe.

The law has raised significant concerns, particularly over provisions allowing the responsible minister to suspend executives of civic society organisations without requiring a court order. The minister is also empowered to appoint individuals to act in these positions, a move critics argue undermines the independence of such organisations.

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The enactment of the law was confirmed by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya, through General Notice 620 of 2025, published in the Government Gazette on 11 April 2025. “The following law, which was assented to by His Excellency the President, is published in terms of Subsection 6(a) of Section 131 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” Rushwaya stated.

Section 131 of the Constitution outlines the procedures for enacting Acts of Parliament. However, the PVO Bill has faced backlash from numerous non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international bodies, which argue that the law centralises excessive power within the government. Critics have expressed fears that the legislation could stifle civic engagement and limit the ability of organisations to operate independently.

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