Zimbabwe just gave President Emmerson Mnangagwa the power to shut down organizations he thinks are political. He signed the Private Voluntary Organizations Amendment Act right before Independence Day celebrations. The government can cancel registrations for groups without much court review. Organizations face heavy fines or jail time if they break these new rules.
Officials claim they need these powers to stop terrorism funding and money laundering. Many rights groups disagree with this explanation. They see it as a way to silence critics who speak against government actions. Human Rights Watch warns that groups cannot speak freely when they fear being closed down. The law arrives as Zimbabwe marks 45 years since British rule ended.
The ruling ZANU-PF party has controlled the country throughout those years. Mnangagwa took office in 2017 after military leaders pushed out Robert Mugabe. The 82-year-old president signed this legislation despite widespread concern from local and international observers. Many fear it will hurt democracy efforts in the Southern African nation.
Officials claim they need these powers to stop terrorism funding and money laundering. Many rights groups disagree with this explanation. They see it as a way to silence critics who speak against government actions. Human Rights Watch warns that groups cannot speak freely when they fear being closed down. The law arrives as Zimbabwe marks 45 years since British rule ended.
The ruling ZANU-PF party has controlled the country throughout those years. Mnangagwa took office in 2017 after military leaders pushed out Robert Mugabe. The 82-year-old president signed this legislation despite widespread concern from local and international observers. Many fear it will hurt democracy efforts in the Southern African nation.
