On 14 February 2012, the Governor of Masvingo Province, Titus Maluleke, announced that he had ordered the suspension of activities of 29 NGOs for allegedly failing to register with his office.

Front Line Defenders expresses its concern over the reported suspension of 29 non-governmental organisations operating in the Masvingo Province, in the southern part of Zimbabwe.

This is despite the fact that there is no legal obligation on NGOs to register with his office nor any other Provincial Governor's Office. Some of the suspended NGOs are currently providing food, water and medicine as well as other forms of support to people in the Masvingo Province.

Zimbabwean NGOs issued a statement condemning the Governor's purported ban, which lacks any legal basis. The Governor has no legal authority to make an order to suspend, hinder or disrupt the activities of NGOs nor has the office holder the power to allow the registration or de-registration of NGOs.

You can find additional information on the situation for human rights Defenders in Zimbabwe. HERE