NGOs told to adhere to Zimbabwe laws

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Zimbabwe must adhere to the country's laws and regulations in order to avoid tensions with the government, a senior official has advised.

Simon Masanga, Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare, made the call during his address at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (Icaz) NGOs conference in Kariba, held under the theme Re-Imagining NGO Innovation, Optimisation, Sustainability and Governance, Fostering Accountability in Building NGO Professional Stronghold. The event highlighted the importance of accountability, compliance, and governance in the NGO sector.

Masanga acknowledged the critical role that NGOs play in complementing government efforts, particularly in areas where the state may be unable to meet the needs of citizens. He pointed to the ongoing drought affecting the country and the government's inability to provide food aid for more than six million people, a gap that NGOs have helped fill.

"Government acknowledges the work done by NGOs, as they complement the efforts of the government, especially in situations where the state is unable to fully meet its obligations," Masanga said. "This year, for example, due to the drought, the government is unable to feed over six million people, but with the support of NGOs, we are able to address this challenge."

While expressing the government's willingness to work alongside NGOs, Masanga raised concerns about transparency and accountability. He cautioned that government officials often grow suspicious when donors concentrate their efforts in one particular area.

"When all donors focus on one region, it raises questions about the underlying reasons for such concentration," Masanga said. He further elaborated on the potential for confusion, stating that sometimes areas of interest for NGOs may be linked to local resources, such as diamonds in Chimanimani, which could fuel suspicions about undisclosed motives. "If resources are not being disclosed to the local community, it invites further scrutiny," he explained.

Masanga also warned that the government would not hesitate to revoke licences for NGOs that fail to comply with regulations. "We can withdraw licences for non-compliance, and the law provides for the cancellation of registrations. We have done this on multiple occasions," he stated.

Ernest Nyimai, the Chief Director of the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (Nango), echoed the importance of regulation in the NGO sector. Nyimai highlighted that effective regulation creates a clear framework for the work of NGOs, ensuring transparency and safeguarding public interest.

"You cannot avoid regulation because regulations define the parameters of how you operate. They outline where you start and where you end," Nyimai said. "Regulations help protect human rights and ensure that people are safe. Without oversight, there is a risk of compromising critical elements of our work."

However, Nyimai emphasized the need for better communication between the government and NGOs to enhance transparency and cooperation. "There should be open channels for communication, allowing both the government and NGOs to work together and ensure that all projects are executed in a transparent manner," he said.

The conference provided a platform for discussing the future of NGOs in Zimbabwe, with participants advocating for innovation, optimisation, and sustainability in the sector, while remaining compliant with national laws and contributing positively to community development.