The legislation, signed into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was gazetted on Friday as Act No. 1 of 2025.

The new law introduces significant changes to the regulatory framework governing civic groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Zimbabwe. Critics argue that the legislation imposes restrictive measures that could stifle the operations of NGOs and limit their ability to advocate for human rights and social justice.

The EU's decision to withhold funding underscores its concerns about the potential impact of the PVO Amendment Act on democratic principles and civil society in Zimbabwe. The move is expected to have far-reaching implications for governance and development programmes reliant on international support.

--John Cassim/ChannelAfrica--