The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), an umbrella body for civic society groups operating in Zimbabwe, yesterday vowed to defy a ban imposed by Masvingo Governor Titus Maluleke on 29 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the province.
The groups said the provincial governor had no authority to register or de-register NGOs and urged the affected CSOs to ignore him and continue their life-saving interventions unhindered.
On Tuesday, Maluleke announced the suspension of 29 NGOs in the province accusing them of defying a December 31 2011 deadline to register their operations with his office, adding they were obliged to register with the governor.
But CSOs described the suspension as intimidation ahead of impending general elections sometime this year or next year.
CSO comprise Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations, National Constitutional Assembly, Zimbabwe Election Support Network and Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum.
The law in this country clearly shows that he (Maluleke) has no regulatory authority; nor does he have the power to register or de-register NGOs, said the NGOs in a joint Press statement yesterday.
Even the provincial council that he heads in terms of the Provincial Councils and Administration Act does not have regulatory powers over NGOs. The council exists solely to foster developmental projects initiated and carried out by central government and local government.
The actions of the governor are also irresponsible considering that the government and NGOs should be coming together to fight the socio-economic ills bedevilling Zimbabwe rather than him frustrating the efforts of individuals and organisations trying their best to help out fellow Zimbabweans.
