ZANU PF BARRED FROM USA SANCTIONS PRESSER newsdzeZimbabweNewsdzeZimbabwe

ZANU PF BARRED FROM USA SANCTIONS PRESSER newsdzeZimbabweNewsdzeZimbabwe

ZANU PF yesterday accused the United States of closing the door on participation after its members were prevented from storming a press conference where US embassy officials were explaining the new sanctions regime.

NewsDay saw members of the Citizens Against Economic Sanctions movement, which has links to the ruling party, prevented from attending the press conference.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and 13 other people, including his wife and First Lady, Auxilia, were on Monday targeted for new sanctions under the Global Magnitsky (GloMag) sanctions programme.

They were punished for corruption and human rights violations. GloMag removes Zimbabwe’s sanctions program in place since 2003.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and Defense Minister Oppah Muchinguri are also subject to sanctions under the new program.

The list also includes CIA Deputy Director Walter Tapfumani, businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei and his wife Sandra Mbonga, businessman Obi Chimuka, Commissioner-General of Police Godwin Matanga, Deputy Commissioner of Police Stephen Mutamba and Midlands Minister Owen Ncube.

Tagwirei subsidiary Sakunda Holdings, which the US Treasury said facilitated government corruption, was also targeted, as were Fossil Agro and Fossil Contracting.

Yesterday, US Embassy officials held a press conference in Harare to explain the new sanctions regime, but Zanu PF officials were not amused after being banned from the press conference.

Zanu PF’s Director of Media and Publicity, Farai Marabira, yesterday told NewsDay that they were not happy about their members being banned from attending the press conference.

“Our people were prevented from attending the sanctions press conference,” Marabra said.

“We had to ask some people inside who had press cards to attend the event. This shows that they are not prepared to participate and answer difficult questions.

“We will be guided by whether there is any desire for change or whether it is just an attempt to purge the illegal sanctions regime that is already in place which they have no right under international law to impose on Zimbabwe in the first place.”

During the press conference, the US Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs, Lawrence Socha, said that the United States is committed to supporting the core values ​​of respect for human rights and responsible and transparent governance.

“The United States is committed to ensuring that our sanctions are timely, relevant, and target individuals responsible for corruption and gross human rights violations,” Socha said.

“In Zimbabwe, we continue to witness gross violations of political, economic and human rights. Targeting of civil society and severe restrictions on political and human rights.” [is] “A source of great concern to the United States.”

Socha reiterated the United States’ commitment to working with the people of Zimbabwe.

“This shift in sanctions is a key factor in the United States’ commitment to working with the people of Zimbabwe. US sanctions are not on the country of Zimbabwe. We are refocusing our sanctions on clearly defined individuals and entities.”

He urged the government to take concrete steps to be more open and democratic, including tackling corruption.

Socha said that the United States will continually make regular adjustments to the sanctions program, including adding and removing individuals based on available evidence.

“US sanctions are not meant to be permanent. Our sanctions are most effective when they are up to date and reflect the realities on the ground and that is why we have made the change at this time,” he explained, noting that US policy has not changed its focus on supporting Zimbabwe’s citizens and democratic institutions.

“US sanctions are not meant to be permanent. One of the primary goals of US sanctions is to bring about positive changes in behavior and this may take some time,” he said, calling on the government, especially the individuals targeted, to take concrete steps towards democratic reforms.

“We hope that business and financial institutions and investors will have a fresh outlook on Zimbabwe’s markets and its relationships with its people.

“We see this as an opportunity for a constructive relationship between the people of the United States and Zimbabwe so that opportunities are available to all 16 million Zimbabweans,” Socha added. Newsday




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