HARARE – A rights activist has approached the Constitutional Court seeking to have the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Act No. 1 of 2025 struck down, arguing that the law was passed in violation of the Constitution and parliamentary procedures.
In an application filed on December 24, 2025, Youngerson Matete cited Parliament of Zimbabwe, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and the Attorney-General as respondents.
Matete argues that the legislative process leading to the enactment of the controversial law was fundamentally flawed and unconstitutional. He contends that parliament breached sections 131(2) and (4) of the constitution which govern how Bills must be processed, as well as section 133(1) on public participation and section 138(1) relating to senate procedures.
The application further alleges that parliament failed to comply with its own Standing Rules and Orders, allowing the PVO Amendment Bill to “sail through” despite procedural irregularities.
As a result, Matete says parliament failed to fulfil its constitutional mandate under section 119(1) and (2), which obliges the legislature to protect the constitution and ensure accountability in the exercise of state power.
The president is also accused of constitutional misconduct. According to the application, by assenting to a Bill that had not been lawfully passed, the president failed to uphold his duties under section 90(1) of the constitution, which requires him to ensure that the constitution and all laws are faithfully observed.
In his draft order, Matete is asking the Constitutional Court to declare the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Act No. 1 of 2025 invalid in its entirety, with no order as to costs.
The PVO Amendment Act has attracted widespread criticism from civil society organisations, churches, labour groups and international bodies, who argue that it restricts civic space and places NGOs under excessive state control.
The matter is yet to be set down for hearing. Respondents have 21 days from service of the application to file notices of opposition.
