Zimbabwe targets aid groups – report

Zimbabwe is threatening to close down non-governmental organisations and arrest their employees if they do not obtain permission from the government for their activities, the state-run Sunday Mail reported.

The paper said “quite a number” of NGOs had not registered for government licences and were believed to be operating illegally and engaging in political activities. “Organisations found operating without being registered will be asked to close down their operations or be arrested for failure to abide by the law,” the paper quoted an official in the public service ministry as saying.Under Zimbabwe’s laws, all NGOs have to be registered under the Public Voluntary Organisations Act.The government is reported to be working on new legislation tightening regulations for NGOs operating in the country amid allegations from the ruling party that many organisations are involved in political activities.The Non-Governmental Organisations and Churches Bill, which has not yet been presented to parliament, aims to give the state powers to screen NGOs operating in the country, according to the Sunday Mail.Churches too have been accused of preaching opposition politics from the pulpit.However, the Sunday Mail said proposals to control churches was being seen in some quarters as “an over-reaction” that would infringe on the right of Zimbabweans to worship.The government recently issued a notice to the hundreds of local and international NGOs working in Zimbabwe warning them to stop operations if they are not licensed.”Failure to adhere to the law will result in arrests being made,” reads part of the notice, according to the Sunday Mail.Recent reports on state television and radio have been critical of the work being done by some NGOs working in Zimbabwe and have said Zimbabweans need to be “self-sufficient”.- Nampa-AFP”Organisations found operating without being registered will be asked to close down their operations or be arrested for failure to abide by the law,” the paper quoted an official in the public service ministry as saying.Under Zimbabwe’s laws, all NGOs have to be registered under the Public Voluntary Organisations Act.The government is reported to be working on new legislation tightening regulations for NGOs operating in the country amid allegations from the ruling party that many organisations are involved in political activities.The Non-Governmental Organisations and Churches Bill, which has not yet been presented to parliament, aims to give the state powers to screen NGOs operating in the country, according to the Sunday Mail.Churches too have been accused of preaching opposition politics from the pulpit.However, the Sunday Mail said proposals to control churches was being seen in some quarters as “an over-reaction” that would infringe on the right of Zimbabweans to worship.The government recently issued a notice to the hundreds of local and international NGOs working in Zimbabwe warning them to stop operations if they are not licensed.”Failure to adhere to the law will result in arrests being made,” reads part of the notice, according to the Sunday Mail.Recent reports on state television and radio have been critical of the work being done by some NGOs working in Zimbabwe and have said Zimbabweans need to be “self-sufficient”.- Nampa-AFP