Anti-Sanction Day, Scorned

By Harare Correspondent.

Imposers of targeted sanctions have scorned the Zimbabwean government for organizing the Anti-Sanction Day as a waste of resources, time and energy.
USA ambassador, Brian Nichols told the media that the energy expended on the organization and coordination of the Anti-Sanctions Day should be put as an agenda item in fulfilling the promises made by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2017 and 2018 inaugurations.

He further added that the day is designed to distract the people of Zimbabwe from the real causes of sanctions and said it was an exercise in futility which does not serve the people of Zimbabwe.

“The Zimbabwe government had set the goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2030. To get there, it should fulfill its promises of upholding the rule of law, fighting corruption, respecting human rights and fully implementing the 2013 Zimbabwe constitution,” he said.

Contrary to the message being sent by SADC, African Union and the Zimbabwe government that the economy has failed to grow because of sanctions, teachers’ salaries and their incapacitation, loss and unavailability of jobs, the US embassy highlighted that out of a total population of 15 million people, only 83 individuals and 37 companies are targeted by sanctions.

Those targeted by these sanctions are alleged to have engaged in corruption, violated human rights and undermine democratic processes in Zimbabwe.
“The Government of Zimbabwe as a whole is not subject to US sanctions,” he said.

The European Embassy in Zimbabwe has also added its voice to the sanctions issues saying investors make decisions based on risk and reforms are needed in Zimbabwe.

“Zimbabwe should address transparency and accountability to fight corruption and to ensure that investments are protected while good governance improves and none of which are affected by EU restrictive measures which are to ban the sale of arms to the Zimbabwe Defence Industries and European companies not to do business with Zimbabwe.

There is no evidence that the Zimbabwean economy is affected negatively by EU restrictive measures. There are not restrictions on EU investments entering Zimbabwe,” the EU embassy said.

It is, however, alleged that over US$7 billion of public funds has not been accounted for due to lack of transparency and accountability an amount of money which could have been used to develop the country and grow the economy.

The EU is one of the biggest donors to Zimbabwe. From 2014 to date, it has provided USD 418 million plus humanitarian aid.
This year, the EU has also supported the most vulnerable with an additional USD74,8 million to help people in need to the novel CORONAVIRUS pandemic.

Amongst those on the sanctions list are Kudakwashe Regimond Tagwirei and his company, Sakunda Holdings.

Western countries said Tagwirei and other Zimbabwean elites have derailed economic development and harmed the people of Zimbabwe through corruption using his opaque deals because of his relationship with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Owen Mudha Ncube, Minister of State Security who is also on the sanctions list.