By Staff Reporter
THE United States of America has terminated a sanctions program against Zimbabwe and reinstated restrictions on 11 individuals including President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and three entities.
The move comes in response to their involvement in corruption and human rights abuses.
American President Joe Biden signed an executive order terminating Zimbabwe’s national emergency and lifting specific sanctions.
These measures are now being implemented under a Trump-era executive order based on the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo clarified that the sanctions are not aimed at the Zimbabwean people.
“Today we are refocusing our sanctions on clear and specific targets: President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa’s criminal network of government officials and businesspeople who are most responsible for corruption or human rights abuse against the people of Zimbabwe,” Adeyemo said.
According to the U.S, Mnangagwa is involved in corrupt activities, in particular those relating to gold and diamond smuggling networks.
Zimbabwe’s first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has also been added on the fresh list of sanctions for aiding her husband’s corrupt activities as well as businessman Kudakwashe Regimond Tagwirei, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri, among others.
The other people facing fresh sanctions are Central Intelligence Organisation deputy director Walter Tapfumaneyi, Tagwirei’s wife Sandra Mpunga, businessman Obey Chimuka, police commissioner general Godwin Matanga, deputy police commissioner Stephen Mutamba and Midlands minister Owen Ncube.
Sakunda Holdings, has also been put under sanctions for facilitating state corruption, as well as Fossil Agro and Fossil Contracting.
