ZCPD calls for lifting sanctions

Gweru-President of the Zimbabwe Coalition for Peace and Development (ZCPD) Trust Chikohora has
called on Zimbabweans to join in the fight against illegal sanctions imposed by the country by the
West. Speaking during the occasion of the Anti-Sanctions Day on October 25, Chikohora said; “Let’s come
together to fight sanction and to work towards harnessing our resources efficiently for the benefit of
all.”

Chikohora said the Zimbabwean economy had suffered for a long time and it was time for it to be
freed by the united voices of its citizens. “Our economy has suffered great harm, as ZCPD we join the rest
of the SADC in calling for the removal of sanctions imposed to Zimbabwe, we have been under sanctions for over two decades
now and these sanctions have taken a toll on the people of Zimbabwe,” Chikohora said.

He stated that sanctions had derailed government’s efforts in service delivery to the citizens.
“Sanctions have caused problems in ensuring that social services are properly functional, our health
delivery system is not as it should be, there are not enough facilities for the education system and
infrastructure is not up to scratch in terms of roads, water, sanitation and railway.

“Most of the issues regarding the Zimbabwean economy like the currency crisis regarding the
general economic decline in Zimbabwe over the years and the general lack of optimal performance
of the economy you will find that they are caused by sanctions.

“So we call upon those that have imposed these sanctions to remove them. They are no longer of
any use to anyone because they are not affecting those people that are purportedly targeted but the
ordinary citizens so it is not helpful to punish people of Zimbabwe perpetually as there is nothing
that that will be achieved by these sanctions,” said Chokohora.

The opposition political leader said they did not need these sanctions hence must now be removed
to allow Zimbabwe to move on in developing their country free of any outside interference.
“We need this albatross on our neck removed, it is against international law and humanity.
“Sanctions must go sooner rather than later and I call upon all Zimbabweans, everyone in the world
who values justice, morality, fairness and who is for development for all people to call upon the
removal of sanctions so that Zimbabwe can move forward,” Chikohora said.
The West and its allies who include the United States imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe after it
embarked on the land reform programme in 2000.