WHEN HELPING PEOPLE BECOMES A CRIME IN ZIMBABWE

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights has taken the government to court because of a law that is now being used to stop freedom. This law is called the Private Voluntary Organisations Act. It was supposed to manage how NGOs and charities work in the country. But now the government is using it to control people and punish those who try to help others.

The Lawyers for Human Rights went to the High Court and said the law is dangerous and must be stopped. The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and the Attorney-General are defending this bad law. The lawyers say the law is now hurting human rights work and making it hard for people to do simple charity work that helps the poor.

In the court papers, the lawyers explain that the law stops people from helping others. It makes it very hard for NGOs to register, to operate, or to get money to help communities. It even says people trying to do charity can be punished like criminals. This is wrong because these people are only trying to bring hope to the poor and those in need.

The law also breaks many basic freedoms. It takes away the freedom to speak, to meet, to form groups, and even to own property. It gives one minister too much power to stop any organisation if he wants. The law does not explain how this power should be used. It is not clear, not fair, and not just. It is a tool for control, not for good.

The application by the Lawyers for Human Rights also says the law is badly written. It gives the Registrar of NGOs too much power. This person can approve or cancel registrations without asking anyone else. Their decisions cannot even be appealed. That is not fair and breaks the meaning of justice. No one should have that much power over people trying to help others.

The court is being asked to look at many wrong parts of the law. One part is said to be too vague and makes no sense. Another part gives too much control to the Registrar with no checks. This means the Registrar can decide the future of NGOs without anyone watching. The law also forces NGOs to apply again every time something small changes, which is not reasonable at all.

One of the worst parts is where the Minister can suspend leaders of any charity and replace them with his own trustees. This means the government can take over any NGO it does not like. That kills trust. It removes independence. It destroys the work being done to help the people of Zimbabwe.

The court papers warn that Zimbabwe will lose a lot of support if this law continues. Every year, Zimbabwe receives millions of dollars in aid to help the poor. If NGOs are stopped, this help will stop too. The poorest people will suffer the most.

The lawyers say the parts of the law that go against the Constitution must be removed. They want the court to stop the government from using them.

This is not just about lawyers or charities. This is about freedom. It is about helping people. When charity becomes a crime, we are all in danger. Let us stand with those who help others and fight for the freedom to care.