Jacob Mudenda Calls on ZANU-PF Members in Masvingo to Monitor NGO Activities Amid New Legal Framework

Source: www.zimbabwesituation.com

Jacob Mudenda, the Secretary General of ZANU-PF and Speaker of the National Assembly, has urged party members in Masvingo province to vigilantly monitor the activities of non-governmental organisations operating within the region. Speaking at a ZANU-PF Masvingo Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting held at Robert Mugabe School of Education in December 2025, Mudenda expressed concern that some NGOs were deviating from their original mandates and engaging in political activities aimed at promoting a regime change agenda.

Mudenda emphasized the importance of ensuring that NGO operations align with Zimbabwe’s national development goals. He referenced Section 105 of the ZANU-PF Party Constitution, which mandates the Provincial Coordinating Committee to oversee and recommend political and development initiatives in the province, fostering collaboration between the party, government, and other stakeholders. He warned party members to be cautious of NGOs that might present themselves innocuously but then stray into political interference.

This call for increased scrutiny comes in the wake of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Act, which was signed into law on 11 April 2025. The legislation grants the Zimbabwean state extensive powers to oversee, audit, and suspend NGOs, particularly those involved in governance, human rights, and advocacy work. This legal framework places NGOs under heightened government supervision, reflecting concerns about their influence in political matters.

The heightened tensions between ZANU-PF and opposition groups have been evident in recent weeks. In Bulawayo, about 20 suspected ZANU-PF supporters attempted to disrupt an MDC Women’s Assembly event commemorating a belated International Women’s Day. Despite the presence of more than a dozen police officers at the scene, no intervention was made to prevent the disruption. Furthermore, police ordered MDC members to disperse from the premises before 2pm, leading to the cancellation of a scheduled press briefing.

Similarly, the National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) condemned police actions that disrupted their planned press conference in Bulawayo. Riot police were heavily deployed around midday, barring access to members and journalists. NDWG spokesperson Isaya Ndawana highlighted the disparity in treatment, noting that ZANU-PF is allowed to hold gatherings without police interference, while opposition groups face restrictions.

These developments underscore the increasingly fraught environment for civil society and political opposition in Zimbabwe. Mudenda’s directive to monitor NGOs in Masvingo reflects a broader government effort to control the activities of organisations perceived as politically motivated. Meanwhile, logistical challenges persist for ZANU-PF itself, as illustrated by an incident on 23 December 2025 when a party vehicle became stuck in the mud on the unpaved Muzarabani–Mbire road and required assistance to continue.

As Zimbabwe navigates these complex political dynamics, the role and oversight of NGOs remain a contentious issue, with significant implications for governance, political expression, and development initiatives across the country.

Related topics: ZANU-PF, Jacob Mudenda, NGOs, Masvingo, political monitoring, regime change, PVO Amendment Act, party constitution, government oversight

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