NANGO remains seized with the issue of the continued harassment of NGOs and criminalization of the work of NGOs.
Over the years NGOs have tremendously contributed towards the development and sustainability of vulnerable and marginalized communities in this country. NGOs in Zimbabwe are operating in various sectors across the country to compliment the otherwise inadequate state resources and to meet the needs of citizens.
We note with alarm the increasingly unstable operational environment for NGOs characterized by insecurity of persons, random office raids and mounting negative publicity being promoted through hate speech in the public media. The GNU should take all necessary steps to protect and ensure that crucial services offered by NGOs to communities continue without unnecessary disruptions at the instigation of the state. NANGO is surprised by the lack of attention being given by leaders in the inclusive government and political parties to the plight of NGOs but they are rather preoccupied with power politics focusing solely on the pending referendum and elections. However, these can only be conducted in a free and fair environment in which citizens are able to fully engage with the political processes.
NANGO fully attributes these dysfunctional and insecure circumstances affecting NGOs to the inaction and failure by the inclusive government to execute its responsibility to protect and ensure that NGOs and citizens have a safe and conducive operational environment. Political parties in the inclusive government need to focus on addressing broader human rights issues rather than strictly on power politics. NANGO therefore holds them fully accountable for the crack down on NGOs due to their silence on the matter and failure to act on the accesses of state power by the police.
NANGO demands that government and all political actors take steps to progressively realize the full application of the rule of law, including its impartial application and observation of rules of procedure. This implies that there be immediate cessations on the onslaught of NGOs on a selective and predatory manner as has been the case in the past three months. In addition, NANGO as the apex body remains available for constructive engagement on the operations of NGOs in this country so that we address any suspicions and perceptions that may be there about the mandates to these entities.
For more information and comments on this contact the NANGO Chairperson, Effort L. Ncube, on 0773 537 053
