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Harare- The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has shut down operations citing shrinking civic space through the enactment of the Private Voluntary Organisations Act blaming it for targeting vibrant pro-democracy civic society organisations that advocated for transparency and accountability from the authorities.
The organisation convened its 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 21 January 2026, and acknowledged that the freedom, democracy and prosperity are under as Zimbabwe remains mired in deepening socio-economic decline, democratic regression, and political repression.
CiZC bemoaned the enactment and enforcement of various pieces of legislation including the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Act which has significantly curtailed civic space, criminalised legitimate civil society work, and undermined constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of association, expression, and participation.
“Statutory Instrument 156 of 2023 unconstitutionally removed Parliamentary oversight on the Mutapa Investment Fund, the people’s $16 billion conglomerate. This is the greatest state robbery since independence. Citizens are the greatest losers, as defined by the state of public transportation, education, health and the welfare sectors” said CiZC in a statement.
The Coalition said it remained steadfast in its mission to promote inclusive national development, uphold human rights, and defend the Constitution now under direct and sustained attack as the ruling elite aggressively pursues a 2030 agenda aimed at entrenching life presidency and permanent authoritarian rule.
The now defunct Coalition was instrumental in major civic interventions, including the Save Zimbabwe Campaign, which contributed significantly to the political pressure that led to the Government of National Unity (GNU).
“CiZC has consistently championed constitutional reform, actively mobilised citizens, and engaged regional bodies including SADC platforms to internationalise Zimbabwe’s democratic crisis. However, we also acknowledged the systematic repression, intimidation, and obstruction that has defined the Coalition’s operating environment over the years” said CiCZ outgoing spokesperson Maverlous Khumalo.
Since 2001, the Coalition alongside other democracy and governance-focused civil society organisations has operated under shrinking democratic space, the weaponisation of repressive laws, and the consolidation of authoritarian rule.
The coalition also noted severe funding constraints which had a chilling effect on civil society operations, endured state surveillance, arbitrary arrests, meeting bans, disruptions, and harassment, all designed to silence dissent and prevent accountability.
CiCZ said repression has gravely undermined advocacy for transparency, accountability, constitutionalism, and the protection of fundamental rights.
Socio-Economic Crisis and State Capture
CiCZ also expressed deep concern over the collapse of living standards, with the majority of citizens sinking further into poverty amid declining incomes and rising costs of living.
“While official narratives boast of 6% GDP growth, this growth is illusory and exclusionary, benefiting less than 10% of the population. Ordinary workers earning as little as US$100 per month are heavily taxed, while vast, unexplained cash movements and elite wealth transfers remain untouched. The Constitution has been systematically shredded as a ruling cartel loots public resources through fraudulent tenders including election, water, construction, and infrastructure contracts. An estimated 25,000 children remain out of school, while nearly half of those enrolled miss classes due to unaffordable fees.” said CiZC.
CiCZ said the country is grappling with longstanding national wounds including Gukurahundi and other post-1980 political injustices which remain unresolved although attempts have been made to address these issues, they have been tokenistic, unconsultative, and devoid of genuine political will, deepening national trauma rather than promoting healing and justice.
“In light of the intensifying repression, shrinking civic space, and the systematic use of the law to crush pro-democracy forces, the membership unanimously resolved that it is in the best strategic interest of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition to dissolve its current organisational structure with immediate effect and deliberate on a renewed strategic direction. This decision does not represent defeat. Rather, it is a deliberate, strategic repositioning aimed at safeguarding the continuity, relevance, and effectiveness of the people’s aspirations in line with the Preamble of the Constitution of Zimbabwe: “ We the people of Zimbabwe….commit ourselves to fight for, and guard the supremacy of the Constitution, rule of law, and principles of good governance” said Khumalo.
CiCZ Chairman Peter Mutasa said on August 31, 2021, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Private Voluntary Organisations Act (Chapter 17:05), claiming to implement recommendations from the Financial Action Taskforce aimed at combating money laundering and terrorism financing nailed the coffin on civil society organisations.
“The amendments aimed to grant the government increased powers to monitor the registration and activities of Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) and imposed penalties for non-compliance. These proposed amendments proved challenging for civil society, as the amendments not only infringed upon constitutional rights but also threatened the existence of non-state actors, especially those operating in the democracy and governance sector” said Mutasa.
