The United Kingdom (UK) has added four Zimbabwean security chiefs to the sanctions list accusing the officials of being responsible for human rights violations including the deaths of 23 protestors in the African countries.
Sanctioned officials include the Minister of State Security, Owen Ncube; Director-General of the Central Intelligence Organisation, Isaac Moyo; Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Godwin Matanga and former Brigadier General, Commander of the Presidential Guard and Tactical Commander of the National Reaction Force, Anselem Sanyatwe.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab who announced the sanctions today said, “These sanctions send a clear message that we will hold to account those responsible for the most egregious human rights violations, including the deaths of innocent Zimbabweans.”
“These sanctions target senior individuals in the Government, and not ordinary Zimbabweans. We will continue to press for the necessary political and economic reforms that will benefit all Zimbabweans.”
The UK in a press release says the sanctions to Zimbabwean officials are to hold the Government of Zimbabwe to account in implementing genuine political and economic reforms that benefit all Zimbabweans.
“Contrary to claims by those who seek to stop institutional reform and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe, these sanctions will not deter investment into the country,” the UK says.
“Instead, UK investors repeatedly highlight three concerns that prevent them from investing in Zimbabwe: poorly-managed currency; arbitrary property rights and the legal system.”“We will continue to support the Zimbabwean people through our aid programme, focusing on tackling poverty, humanitarian assistance, standing up for human rights and supporting Zimbabwe’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. None of this aid goes directly through Government of Zimbabwe systems,” reads the press release.
Zimbabwe has responded to Western countries by setting aside 25 October as the anti-sanctions day.
The country that has been under sanctions for two decades also recently claimed to have been in talks with Western countries including the UK.
