The Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security has extended the deadline for societies to file their annual returns to 31st December 2025.
Permanent Secretary Dickson Matembo said the move follows continued non-compliance by a number of organisations despite earlier extensions granted this year.
Mr. Matembo explained that the extension applies to all societies, including political parties and religious organisations that failed to submit returns during the statutory period or the recently ended extension window.
He urged all societies to take advantage of the grace period and file their annual returns to avoid deregistration once the extension expires.
Mr. Matembo reminded organisations that filing annual returns between 1st January and 31st March is a legal requirement under the Societies Act.
He noted that the Office of the Registrar of Societies had earlier pushed the deadline to 1st October 2025, following requests from organisations negatively affected by the 2023–2024 drought.
Mr. Matembo added that societies must use the additional time to regularise their status and ensure full compliance with the law.
This was contained in a statement issued to ZNBC News by Ministry Principal Public Relations Officer Mwala Kalaluka.
