This communique aims to provide an update and details on the following topics. For a more detailed account please see Communique 20 (pdf link).

• General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (GILAB 2023)
• DSD’s “Dear NPO, Comply or be De-registered” Campaign.
• The Next Presidential Social Sector Summit
• The NPO Policy Framework
• The FATF Sectoral Risk Assessment Survey

Between April 2019 and June 2021, South Africa underwent a peer review, conducted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), of its Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) system. The final Mutual Evaluation report was completed and released in October 2021. Subsequently, the South African government and its authorities have been actively addressing the identified deficiencies, raised in the above report. This effort is evident through the passage of various amendment bills; renewed attention to deregister non-compliant NPOs (Non-Profit Organizations); and the finalisation of the NPO Policy Framework.
 
Due to the misapplication of the FATF recommendations, these actions have sometimes led to the closure of civic spaces. In light of this, you are encouraged to remain up-to-date on these developments, and how it impacts the sector.
 
List of Linked documents:

• Latest NPO Working Group Fact Sheet that includes the updated timeline of activities of the NPO Working Group.
• Our website to view previous Communiques that have links enclosed to key documents.
• General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill 2023 (GILAB 2023)
• DSD’s “Dear NPO” Comply or be Deregistered Campaign flyer.
• Framework Agreement of the Presidential Social Sector Summit 2022
• Draft 3 of the NPO Policy Framework
• Inyathelo Research Report: A New NPO Act for South Africa: The Implications of the Proposed New Policy Framework for South African Civil Society.

Kind regards
Feryal Domingo 
Chairperson of the NPO Working Group & Acting Director of Inyathelo