Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation

The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO), formerly the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), is a public interest environmental law group based in Zimbabwe. Formed in 2000 and legally constituted as a Trust in November 2001 under Notarial Deed of Trust MA1669/2001, it has established itself as a premier natural resources governance organisation in Zimbabwe and the Southern Africa region. Its work has evolved from a focus on environmental rights to a broader natural resource governance agenda covering land, water, wildlife, gas and mineral resources. The organisation is a critical node in major discussions on natural resources governance, particularly as it relates to extractives, and its capacity to conduct legal, policy and practice-relevant research has made it a critical voice, convenor and knowledge broker. ZELO's mission extends beyond legal and policy research, advocacy, impact litigation, conflict resolution and civic education into the communities it serves. Its thematic areas include the mining and extractives industry, land and natural resources, responsible investments and business, local service delivery and governance, and climate change and energy. The organisation is registered as a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO 42/24) following its registration in November 2024, and it officially rebranded from ZELA to ZELO effective July 2025. A dedicated ZELO website is under development, with the existing zela.org site continuing to share updates in the interim. ZELO is led by Executive Director Mutuso Dhliwayo and Deputy Director Shamiso Mtisi, with a board chaired by Prof. Tumai Murombo. Its team includes legal officers, project officers, finance and administration staff, and a MEAL manager. The organisation accepts donations to support its work. Through its research, advocacy and litigation, ZELO seeks to use the law to protect the environment and promote sustainable resource governance in Zimbabwe and the wider region.

The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) was formed in 2000 and legally constituted as a Trust in November 2001 under Notarial Deed of Trust MA1669/2001. It was established as a public interest environmental law group based in Zimbabwe. Over the years, ZELA established itself as a premier natural resources governance organisation in Zimbabwe and the Southern Africa region. Its work evolved from a focus on the promotion of environmental rights to a broader natural resource governance agenda that includes natural resources such as land, water, wildlife, gas and mineral resources. ZELA became a critical node in all major discussions on natural resources governance, particularly as it relates to extractives. Its capacity to conduct legal, policy and practice-relevant research firmly established it as a critical voice, convenor and knowledge broker on natural resources governance. An important niche for the organisation has been its work to promote natural resource governance at the community level. In November 2024, ZELA registered as a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) under registration number PVO 42/24. Effective July 2025, the organisation officially rebranded as the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO). As part of this transition, a dedicated ZELO website is being developed, with the existing zela.org site continuing to share updates in the interim.

• 2025

  Officially rebranded as the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO), effective July 2025.

• 2024

  Registered as a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO 42/24) in November 2024.

• 2001

  Legally constituted as a Trust in November 2001 under Notarial Deed of Trust MA1669/2001.

• 2000

  Formed as the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA).

Premier public interest environmental law organisation and natural resources governance knowledge broker in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa.

• Legal and policy research

  Conducts legal, policy and practice-relevant research on natural resources governance.

• Advocacy

  Advocates for environmental rights and sustainable resource governance.

• Impact litigation

  Uses litigation to protect the environment and promote sustainable resource governance.

• Conflict resolution

  Engages in conflict resolution related to natural resource governance.

• Civic education

  Provides civic education to communities on environmental law and natural resource governance.

1. 1Home - Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisationzela.org
2. 2About Us - Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisationzela.org
3. 3Our Team - Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisationzela.org
4. 4Our Board - Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisationzela.org
5. 5Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation - Wikidatawikidata.org