Rutendo Chirume
On March 27, 2026, Citizens in Action Southern Africa (CIASA) convened a provincial dialogue in Masvingo aimed at strengthening constitutional awareness and supporting community-based organisations (CBOs) to better understand and respond to the implications of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Act. The dialogue, held at Flamboyant Hotel, brought together 30 representatives from Alliance of Community Based Organisations (ACBOs), youth- and women-led organisations, churches, and grassroots community structures.
The engagement comes at a critical time when concerns are growing over the impact of the PVO Amendment Act on civic space and the operations of civil society organisations, particularly at community level. The dialogue provided a platform for participants to unpack the Act, share lived experiences, and collectively explore strategies for safeguarding constitutional rights and sustaining community-based work.
Legal expert Maddock Chivasa led a session on constitutionalism and civic space, guiding participants through key constitutional provisions and their relevance to the current legal environment. He noted that while the PVO Amendment Act is framed as a regulatory mechanism, its implementation may have far-reaching implications.
“Its implementation has the potential to significantly affect civic operations, particularly for smaller organisations that may struggle to meet compliance requirements,” he said.
Chivasa further emphasized the importance of protecting fundamental freedoms, adding that “freedom of association and expression are central to democratic participation, and any framework that potentially limits these rights must be carefully examined.”
Participants actively engaged in discussions, highlighting challenges such as fear of deregistration, increased administrative demands, and misconceptions about the role of civic organisations. One participant shared, “sometimes we are mistaken for pushing political agendas when we are simply supporting communities and advocating for their rights.”
The dialogue was chaired by Tatenda Mandondo, who underscored the importance of strengthening grassroots responses to evolving legislative frameworks.
“This dialogue is part of CIASA’s broader effort to ensure that communities are not only aware of their constitutional rights but are also equipped to respond collectively and strategically,” Mandondo said.
He further highlighted the need for coordinated action, noting that “building strong, informed, and connected community networks is essential in safeguarding civic space and ensuring that grassroots voices continue to shape governance processes.”
The dialogue concluded with the development of a provincial position paper to guide advocacy efforts in Masvingo, alongside the establishment of coordination mechanisms to monitor and respond to civic space developments. The engagement also strengthened solidarity among participants and reinforced the role of women and youth-led leadership in advancing constitutional advocacy.
CIASA remains committed to empowering communities, promoting constitutionalism, and protecting civic space across Zimbabwe. Insights and outcomes from the Masvingo dialogue will contribute to ongoing national advocacy efforts aimed at ensuring that civic actors can operate freely and effectively in support of community development and democratic governance.
