regulation

The Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) MP for Buhera West, Oliver Mandipaka, has challenged government to rein in the country's western funded non-governmental organisations (NGOs), arguing they are now too many and causing confusion in the country.
 
Mandipaka, a former high ranking police officer, asked the Public Service deputy minister during parliament's question and answer session if government had plans to stop the further spread of NGOs.
 

Aid agencies have warned that humanitarian response in Uganda could be severely compromised if parliament adopts a bill that regulates non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and criminalises non-compliance.

If passed, the bill, which is currently before a parliamentary committee, would have ‘catastrophic effects’ on vulnerable communities, a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) says in a recent position paper.

Malawi’s former justice minister, Ralph Kasambara, triggered debate on social media when he challenged Malawi government through the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Board against shutting down NGOs operating ‘without following proper procedures’, mostly those that are critical to the administration.

Those targeted include Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with AIDS, Malawi Health Equity Network, Centre for Development of People and Malawi Economic Justice Network among 320 NGOs that risk closure for failing to register with the NGO Board.

Over 400 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have registered with Zambia’s Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health under the new and contentious NGO Act of 2009.

Some NGOs have resolved not to register until all the necessary amendments on what it calls the proposed ‘unconstitutional Act’ of 2009 have been resolved.

While the organisations claim that the Act is retrogressive and is not in their best interest, the government is of the view that the registration process is ongoing and dialogue with NGOs over contentious issues has continued.

If South Africa implements the World Health Organisation's landmark resolutions on air pollution, the government will have to take action against polluting companies, including Eskom.
 
After discussing air pollution for the first time at the World Health Assembly, the United Nations' health body adopted resolutions intended to counter the world's most serious single environmental health risk.
 

The Film and Publication Board (FPB) has refuted rumours that its Draft Online Regulation Policy will censor Internet usage in South Africa.
 
The FPB says the proposed regulations are to ensure that commercial media distributions do not publish or promote illegal material such as pornography, violence and hate speech outside of the guidelines.
 
Advocacy group, Right2Know, argues that the draft policy - Draft Policy on Online Regulations - is too vague and open ended to understand who exactly will fall within the limitations of the proposed regulations.

The Ugandan Parliament is due to debate a controversial Bill by government aimed at clipping the influence of non-governmental organisations as the country gears up for the 2016 general elections.

While government argues that the Non-Governmental Organisations Registration (Amendment) Bill 2013 seeks to expand government powers to monitor non-government organisations’ (NGOs) work, its opponents argue that it is intended to erode civil liberties and entrench political intolerance ahead of the general elections.

Activists in Uganda have warned that a ‘dangerous’ new bill seeking to regulate non-governmental organisations (NGOs) would silence critics and “negate the very essence of freedom of association and expression.”

Rights groups say the proposed NGO bill would grant sweeping powers to the government, including the ability to shut down activist groups and jail members.

This month’s gazetted draft online regulation policy by the Film and Publication Board (FPB) that could potentially curtail online freedom of expression has been criticised for its lack of engagement by the industry’s main body.

The Interactive Advertising Bureau South Africa (IAB) says it has seen an earlier unreleased draft of the policy document and has written to the FPB to raise its concerns about the process and proposed regulations, requesting an opportunity to meet with the FPB to make formal submissions.

Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO) advocacy group states that it will re-apply to register as an organisation.
 
LEGABIBO will make a fresh application to the country’s registrar of societies, after winning a case in which it challenged government’s refusal to register the organisation.
 
During an interview, LEGABIBO coordinator, Caine Youngman, declares that, "We are working with our legal team to finalise our registration papers before submission tomorrow."