Association
PVO Amendment Act signed into law
On 11th April 2025, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Act into law, marking a major shift in the regulation of NGOs. Gazetted as Act No. 1 of 2025, the law is now officially enforceable and amends five major pieces of legislation including the PVO Act [Chapter 17:05], the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The Act expands the definition of PVOs to include trusts, legal persons and “beneficial owners” and introduces strict new regulations. The law prohibits PVOs from supporting or opposing any political party or candidate and grants the government authority to suspend the leadership of organisations if deemed necessary "in the public interest." It also introduces criminal liability, with sentences of up to 35 years for violations related to illicit financing or misrepresentation, particularly involving “beneficial owners” and “controllers”.
While the government claims the law is aimed at curbing terrorism and foreign interference, the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and local civil society argue that it severely restricts freedom of association and expression and is intended to silence dissent.
The European Union responded by suspending its 2025 funding for Zimbabwe’s governance programmes, highlighting the government's failure to uphold its commitment to expand civic space, an important factor in ongoing debt resolution negotiations.
As previously documented on the Monitor, by 2023, the Zimbabwean government had revoked the registration of at least 290 NGOs and CSOs because they failed to submit audited donor reports and annual returns as mandated under the PVOs Act, operating beyond their officially registered mandates and, in rare cases, being deemed national security risks.
Peaceful Assembly
98 people arrested during anti-government protest
On 31st March 2025, Zimbabwe saw a near‑national “stay-away” day sparked by war veteran and former ZANU‑PF member Blessed Geza. He called on citizens to “fill the streets” in protest against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s alleged plan to extend his rule beyond the constitutionally allowed two terms ending in 2028, and back Vice‑President Constantine Chiwenga instead.
Despite Geza’s call, only around 200 protesters gathered at Harare’s Freedom Square (also known as Robert Mugabe Square) chanting slogans like “Enough is Enough” and “Mnangagwa must go.” These protesters temporarily blocked roads and threw stones at police.
The police and military patrolled major cities, fired tear gas at protesters and urged the public to stay home in the name of maintaining order. This heavy security presence led to widespread closures of schools, businesses, markets and public transport. At least 98 people were arrested on charges of promoting public violence and breaching the peace. Arrests were made both in person and via identification on social media and WhatsApp groups.
The protest highlighted deep-seated disenchantment, but also a pervasive fear that stifled broader participation.
Expression
Journalist arrested after broadcasting interview criticising President Mnangagwa
On 21st February 2025, Zimbabwean police issued a statement seeking journalist Blessed Mhlanga, accusing him of violating Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Mhlanga voluntarily reported to the police on 24th February 2025 and was arrested. He was charged under the Cyber and Data Protection Act for allegedly “transmitting messages likely to incite violence or damage to property.”
His arrest was linked to interviews he conducted on 27th January and 11th February 2025 with former ZANU-PF official Blessed Geza, who openly said that he would mobilise public protests to push President Emmerson Mnangagwa out of office, citing economic issues and what he called the president's failure to govern. Mhlanga transmitted Geza’s messages through YouTube and HSTV. Despite ZANU-PF’s claims that the case was being handled fairly, CSOs view it as part of a broader crackdown on journalists since the 2023 elections.
Mhlanga’s bail was denied multiple times and only granted after a second High Court appeal on 7th May 2025 following 73 days in prison. His trial, originally set for 14th May 2025, was postponed to 17th June 2025. If convicted, Mhlanga could be jailed for up to five years and fined up to US$700 under the 2021 Cyber and Data Protection Act.