WHEN CHARITY BECOMES A CRIME IN ZIMBABWE

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is taking the government to court. They are fighting against a law called the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Act. This law is supposed to help manage how NGOs and charities work. But now, the government is using it to control, punish, and silence people who try to help others.

This fight is happening at the High Court. The lawyers say the PVO law is now dangerous. They say it stops people from doing good. It makes it hard for NGOs to help the poor. It makes it easy for the government to close down any organisation it does not like.

The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and the Attorney-General are defending this law. But the lawyers say it breaks many human rights. It stops freedom of speech. It stops freedom to meet, to form groups, and even to own property.

The law gives too much power to one person — the Minister. This Minister can stop any NGO. He does not even have to explain himself. This is not fair. It is not justice. It is not what the Constitution of Zimbabwe says.

The court papers also talk about the Registrar of NGOs. This person now has too much control. They can approve or cancel NGO registrations anytime. No one can appeal their decisions. That means NGOs are at the mercy of one person. This is not how a fair system works.

The lawyers are asking the court to stop many bad parts of this law. For example, section 4 is too vague. It does not make sense. Section 9 gives too much power to the Registrar. NGOs must reapply every time something changes in their work. That is not reasonable. It wastes time and kills progress.

One very bad part is where the Minister can suspend the leaders of an NGO. He can then replace them with his own people. This means the government can take over any organisation it does not like. This is not just control. It is abuse of power. It kills trust. It ends independence. It destroys good work.

The lawyers also warn that Zimbabwe will lose support because of this law. Every year, Zimbabwe gets a lot of aid money. This money helps poor people. It comes through NGOs. If NGOs are blocked, that help will stop. Poor Zimbabweans will suffer the most.

The lawyers want the court to remove sections 4, 5, 6, 9, 13A, 14 and 21 from the law. They say these parts go against the Constitution. They want the court to stop the government from using this law to attack good people.

This case is not just about laws or courtrooms. It is about people. It is about freedom. It is about helping each other. When the government says helping others is a crime, then we have a very big problem. That is what is happening in Zimbabwe today.

The PVO law is now being used like a weapon. It is used to silence voices. It is used to control those who care. But we must say no. We must stand up. We must defend the right to help each other.

Zimbabwe does not need more fear. Zimbabwe needs more love. More care. More kindness. More freedom. That is the Zimbabwe we must build.

Let’s stand with the lawyers. Let’s stand with the NGOs. Let’s stand with the people who help. Because when charity becomes a crime, no one is safe. Not you. Not me. Not anyone.