USA adds more Zanu PF officials to targeted sanctions list

By Lance Guma
31 January 2008

The United States government on Wednesday added more Zanu PF officials and companies to a growing list of those under financial and travel sanctions. Robert Mugabe’s nephew Leo Mugabe, Happyton Bonyongwe the head of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and two companies with links to Zanu PF are the new additions. ZIDCO Holdings and Jongwe Printing and Publishing Company are said to be controlled by the ruling party and have joined the list of blacklisted companies whose business activities benefit the oppressive regime in Harare. What the measures mean is that any bank accounts or financial assets found in the United States will be frozen.

The measures are part of attempts to increase pressure on Mugabe’s regime, that last week brutally crushed an opposition march demanding a new constitution and free and fair elections. American businesses are barred from doing business with any of the officials or companies on the targeted sanctions list. Adam Szubin, a director in the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control said, ‘Today’s designations are part of an increased effort to pressure those who are aiding Mugabe's efforts to cripple Zimbabwe, including through violence and intimidation.’

Mugabe’s regime has tried to sell the argument that the entire country is under sanctions and that this is the reason for the economic crisis which has seen inflation unofficially pegged at over 100 000 percent. Observers however say this is an opportunistic argument as only selected Zanu PF officials and companies are targeted. Australia, the United Kingdom and other European countries have similar travel and financial restrictions on members of Mugabe’s regime.

Last year Australia took the policy further by deporting the children of Zanu PF officials studying in that country. The country’s foreign minister said it was not the interest of the country to host these children while their parents helped commit human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.