Cracking down

Zimbabwe: Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF stifles civil society ahead of elections

By Farai Shawn Matiashe, in Mutare, Zimbabwe

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Posted on March 3, 2023 11:06

Zimbabwe President and ZANU-PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa in Esigodini Matebeleland South. (Jekesai NJIKIZANA / AFP)

Zimbabwe’s government says its pending bill restricting non-governmental organisations aims to combat money laundering and threats to the state. Critics call it a naked attempt to give the ruling Zanu PF party a leg up in this year’s presidential and parliamentary elections by kneecapping one of the country’s few avenues for political accountability.

The Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment bill has sailed through the Senate and is expected to shortly become law. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed to sign it as soon as it’s ready.

“Let me repeat: Once the Bill is cleaned and sent to my Office, I will sign it into law. Speedily, too,” the president promised in his weekly

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