By A Correspondent- A cabinet minister has ordered non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to cooperate with the government or close down their operations.

In a statement on Sunday, Home Affairs Minister, Cain Mathema warned NGOs that if they are unwilling to work with the government, they will be deemed spy organisations.

He said:

“Let me state it again, all NGOs must work with the government or they should close their offices and each has to tell us who funds them and how they use their funds.

If they do not work with the government, they are spy organisations.

My ministry knows that its officers are human rights officers all the time during the performance of their duties.”

The Zanu Pf government has under the leadership of the former President Robert Mugabe kicked out NGOs ahead of elections, making it difficult for the outside world to provide humanitarian assistance or monitor a vote marred by political violence and voter intimidation.

The NGOs were described as vehicles of the regime change agenda.-Newsday