Moyo should rein in bureaucrats
AS the youth coalition, we write to you, Local Government minister July Moyo, in response to letters which were widely circulated by bureaucrats in your ministry regarding the operations of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The under-signed organisations are deeply concerned by the contents of the letters in which it was insinuated that all NGOs must fall under the direct supervision of provincial development co-ordinator (PDC).
Without belittling the esteemed office of the PDC, we are gravely worried that the yesteryear acrimonious relationship which existed between the civil society and the previous government might be on its way back.
We stand to be guided, but we view the directives as rather unilateral and misguided.
It must be noted that going by the Provincial Councils and Administrative Act, the office is nonexistent and even if we might want to equate the office to that of the provincial administrator provided at law in the Provincial Councils and Administrators Act, the powers will be then limited to activities relating to the operations of government.
There is no legal backing that would make the PDC’s office control the operations and activities of NGOs as they are not part of and or agencies of government.
Section 68 of our Constitution is very clear that every person has a right to lawful administrative conduct.
We, therefore, call upon your office to reign in your bureaucrats before we take appropriate legal actions to protect ourselves.
Your sincerely,
African Regional Youth Initiative-Zimbabwe, African Youth Portal, Community Talk, Fraternity of Youth Trust, Light Bearers Youth Initiative, Young Advocates for Inclusion Network, Youth Alliance for Democracy, Youth Forum Zimbabwe, Youth Initiative for Community Development