Due to the volatility of the operating environment leading to political impasse and paranoia, among other factors, civil society in Zimbabwe faces many challenges which include increasing insecurity, harassment and a hostile operating environment. It thus became important for the National Association of Non Governmental Organizations (NANGO), to carry out a study that interrogated the form and nature of risks and threats that are faced by civil society. A comprehensive understanding of these issues would inform planning, programming and budgeting by civil society, funding partners and critical stakeholders.
Security threats against CSOs have existed in Zimbabwe since independence. What perhaps masked them is the fact that for a long time Zimbabwe was under a one party system. The raids on women under the guise of ridding the streets of prostitutes, the attacks on University of Zimbabwe students, and the urban clean up operation are all examples of threats against CSOs. The situation for the past ten years has progressively worsened with activists being harassed, arrested, abducted and ridiculed in the print and electronic media.
The space for CSOs has shrunk especially in the past ten years. The situation has been made worse by repressive legislation such as
Public Order and Security Act, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Interception of Communications Act. These pieces of legislation are used in a partisan manner as Police ban marches and rallies on flimsy grounds such as cholera and ironically allowing much bigger gatherings held by ZANU PF.
