Zimbabwe's ruling party on Saturday recommended a crackdown on Western-sponsored rights groups and non-governmental organisations accused of hostility towards President Robert Mugabe.
Critics charge that 81-year-old Mugabe - Zimbabwe's sole ruler since independence from Britain 25 years ago - has plunged one of Africa's most promising countries into a deep political and economic crisis through controversial policies.
On the last day of its annual conference, Mugabe's ZANU-PF party discussed several resolutions, including a recommendation to tackle British and US-backed organisations working with opposition forces, state television reported.
"The draft resolution says the government must deal with NGOs sponsored by the British and the Americans such as the NCA (National Constitutional Assembly) which are hostile to the government," it said, citing political pressure group NCA.
Last year the ruling party passed legislation that banned foreign funding for local rights groups and tightened the registration of other NGOs.
Analysts say Mugabe did not sign the bill into law as Zimbabwe badly needs aid from NGOs as it struggles with food and fuel shortages.
Despite its political grip on the southern African country, Mugabe's government still feels insecure and has imposed tough media and security laws to police its opponents, analysts say.
This week Zimbabwe security agents seized the passports of a top opposition figure and of the country's leading private newspaper publisher under a controversial law allowing the government to bar travel by "traitors".
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