NGOs Can "Go To Hell," Says ZANU PF

ZANU PF says Zimbabwe doesn’t need non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as they have not brought about any tangible development to the country.

Addressing journalists in Harare on Tuesday, ZANU PFspokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said NGOs “can go to hell” adding that they don’t play any important role other than giving food handouts. He said:

To hell with those NGOs who have nothing to offer in Zimbabwe. There is no role played by NGOs in terms of Zimbabwe’s development and nothing can be credited to them.

There is no traceable study where NGOs have delivered production in Zimbabwe, like car manufacturing companies. What is their role if they don’t give food handouts?

However, Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum executive director Musa Kika said civil society plays a key role in sustainable development. Said Kika:

I am afraid to say he does not understand what development is, particularly sustainable development, which is impossible without civil society.

Human development, the most important development, has people at the centre, and one cannot wish away civil society in that matrix.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure said ZANU PF is using NGOs as a scapegoat for its failures. | NewsDay