By Kwedu News Reporter
Suspected ZANU PF youths and activists on Friday, 17 May, brought machetes and sjamboks to Gweru’s Private Voluntary Organisations Bill public consultation at the Gweru theatre, which were used to threaten Parliamentarians and assault contributors who opposed the proposed law.
The public consultation ended prematurely after the activists ignored consultation rules, booing those who opposed the bill, clapping and praising their colleagues who supported the Bill.
Members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee walked out after sensing danger from the rowdy activists who broke into song denouncing the committee and praising the President, Emmerson Mnangagwa.
One member of the committee who was facilitating the meeting was openly threatened with a machete before he took cover in a parliament bus which they also threatened to deflate.
One female contributor who spoke against the Bill was followed out of the venue by some youths and was heavily whipped with a sjambok on the street adjacent to the theatre, at Chicken Slice.
Several contributors who opposed the bill were also intimidated and threatened as the meeting ended.
During the prematurely ended meeting, the committee first asked representatives of civic organisation to make their contributions on the Bill with Gweru known organisations such as Community Solutions Zimbabwe (CSZ), Quadriplegics and Paraplegic Association of Zimbabwe (QAPAZ), National Association of Non-governmental Organisations (NANGO), residents associations, among others, took turns opposing the bill.
The organisations said it was not necessary for all organisations to be registered as PVOs as 75% of citizens are NGO beneficiaries, which opposes humanitarian work and reduces welfare to those who need it.
They said some terms in the Bill were not properly defined and the Minister is given too much powers.
They also said due to government interference, the Bill removes the distinction between Civic Society Organisations and parastatals.
Audry Rusike, a Person With a Disability said as QAPAZ they believe the Ministry has no right to choose Board of Directors for PVOs, moreso, the Bill should be ammended in terms of funds going through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe as this can delay implementation of programmes which can lead to loss of lives as funds may not be released or be delayed.
They also said the bill pretends to solve a problem that does not exist since there is no terrorism risk for NGOs in Zimbabwe since it was removed from the list of countries at high risk.
Supporting the Bill were known ZANU PF activists who claimed to be representing organisations such as Youth Alive, Rural Youths Organisation Trust, Sustainable Community Development Trust, Federation of African Students Zimbabwe Chapter, Youth Education Society Trust for Women Organisation, who justified the Bill accusing NGOs of abusing donor funds diverting them for self enrichment and promoting homosexuality.
They said every country has laws that should be respected and that NGOs should operate under strict regulations so that they respect Zimbabwean culture and values.
They also called for re-registration of all CSOs if possible, to analyse their mandates and relevance in the country.
They said bank accounts should be controlled by the RBZ for transparency and to reduce illicit financial flows.
Defending the Bill, Gweru Urban ZANU PF losing Member of Parliament, Esau Natare, who claimed to represent Rural Youths Organisation Trust, said the Minister is there to offer guidelines and policy framework to NGOs who are interfering in politics.
Another known ZANU PF youth activist, identifying himself only as Marima from Youth Alive, said NGOs are promoting LGBTQ+ communities which is against Zimbabwean law and they are not wanted.
Marima said its not the right of NGOs to be in Zimbabwe.
“We are saying NGOs are good but when they come they should follow our laws, and another thing, its not the right of NGOs to come to Zimbabwe, if we don’t want them we don’t want them.” He said.
