UK slaps Zim security Minister, 3 others with sanctions
Harare, February 1, 2021 (New Ziana)-The United Kingdom on Monday announced it had placed four Zimbabwean security service chiefs, including State Security Minister Owen Ncube on sanctions for alleged ‘human rights violations’ which took place in 2019.
The new sanctions include a travel ban and asset freeze on Isaac Moyo, Director General of the Central Intelligence Organisation; Godwin Matanga, Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police; and Lieutenant General (rtd) Anselem Sanyatwe, former Commander of the Presidential Guard and Tactical Commander of the National Reaction Force.
The measures are UK’s first autonomous sanctions on Zimbabwe since leaving the European Union.
In a statement, the UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the four Zimbabwean security sector chiefs were responsible for serious human rights violations – including the deaths of 23 Zimbabwean protestors.
“These targeted designations hold to account those responsible for the worst human rights violations against the people of Zimbabwe since President Emmerson Mnangagwa took power in November 2017. This includes a state-sponsored crackdown against protests in January 2019 that resulted in the deaths of 17 Zimbabweans and post-election violence in August 2018 in which six protestors lost their lives.
“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,” said Raab.
Raab claimed these sanctions would “not deter investment into the country.
“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,” said Raab.
New Ziana
