More Zanu PF chefs added to EU sanctions list

By Violet Gonda
24 August 2005

The European Union (EU) has added 6 more names of Mugabe's cronies to its sanctions list that now comprises a total of 126 individuals. 3 top police officers are on the updated list that was decided by the EU Council on 29 July 2005.

The updated list includes: Sekesai Makwavarara - Acting Mayor of Harare, and 3 assistant police commissioners- Edmore Veterai, Munyaradzi Musariri, Wayne Bvudzijena, Partson Mbiriri, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works & Urban Development and Melusi Matshiya the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The EU measures, first introduced in February 2002, consist of a ban on entry into the territory of the EU member states and a freeze on financial assets. An embargo on the supply of arms and equipment intended for military operations is also imposed. The police spokesman, Wayne Budzijena refused to comment when he was contacted by us.

On June 13 this year, the EU council had extended the list of targeted sanctions from 95 to 120 to include newly appointed ministers and their deputies in Mugabe's government. The latest list is an update which includes persons seen to have been responsible for the human rights abuses violated under the controversial Operation Murambatsvina. A damning UN report labelled this clean up exercise a "disastrous venture which affected the lives of 2.4 million people."

Targeted sanctions mean that individuals on the list would be barred from travelling to EU member states as a result of their engagement in activities which seriously undermine democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe. Their funds in those countries would also be frozen.
Responding to the targeted sanctions, Acting Minister of Information and Publicity Chen Chimutengwende said, "The sanctions don't mean anything and won't change anything. It does not improve the EU's position or weaken our position."

In a wide ranging interview with SW Radio Africa the minister denied that thousands of people had been made homeless after the government's clean up exercise. And echoing Mugabe's line, the minister remained adamant that people are not starving and that the government is managing to feed the nation with food sourced from the region.