Zimbabwe - April 2025

On 11 April, President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Act into law. This legislation gives authorities broad powers to regulate the governance of civil society organisations (CSOs), under the stated aim of combating terrorism financing and money laundering. It permits investigations into the funding and ownership of CSOs, and authorises the government to deregister or dissolve organisations, seize their assets, and remove or replace their leadership without judicial oversight. The law also introduces severe penalties, including prison sentences of up to 35 years, for offenses such as misrepresentation or illegal financing. Observers have warned that the law is intended to suppress dissent, and that it will restrict civic space and undermine freedoms of association. In response to the passing of the legislation, the European Union announced the suspension of its planned 2025 funding for governance reforms, citing concerns over the constraints on civic space.

Sources: Zimbabwean Government Gazette, ZimLive, ZimEye, European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe, International IDEA