23 February 2022
Prosperity Sikhosana
The European Union (EU) has retained targeted sanctions on several Zimbabwean individuals and entities while removing some individuals from the same list.
Former first lady, Grace Mugabe, the current army General Valerio Sibanda and the Vice President Constantino Chiwenga were removed from the EU targeted sanctions list.
Those most affected by the EU sanctions are members of the ruling Zanu-PF party government’s arms manufacturing company, the Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI).
This comes barely 48 hours after President Emmerson Mnangagwa returned from a high-profile summit at the organisation’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium for a corporative summit between the EU and the African Union.
State media had been in overdrive over the summit, claiming Mnangagwa’s re-engagement effort was bearing fruit.
In 2002, the sanctions list had about 200 people, 30 firms and state utilities.
The sanctions were imposed based on the political violence, human rights abuses, the failure to hold free and fair elections by the Zanu-Pf government using state apparatus.
In a statement, the EU said it,
“…reiterates its ambition for a more constructive relationship with Zimbabwe at all levels.”
The EU further noted:
“The situation in terms of respect for human rights has not improved in Zimbabwe. Intimidation of the political opposition and other government critics has continued to the Democratic and civic space.
“The EU will continue to closely follow developments, with particular attention to the human rights situation, and recalls its readiness to review and adapt the whole range of its policies accordingly.”
Eyebrows will be raised on the removal of the three from the sanctions list since human rights abuses and harrasing of political opponents is still prevalent in the country.
The Vice President watches as political opponents and human rights abuses prevail. As the Second in Command of the country, Chiwenga has never uttered a word against police brutality, corruption and violation of human rights by the Police and members of the army who at times are used to man roadblocks.
As for Valerio Sibanda, the Army boss has been silent ever since he assumed this position despite the fact that gross human rights abuses are being perpetrated under his watch.
This past Sunday, opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa held a rally in Harare’s Highfileds suburb in preparation for the March by-elections.
The rally was characterised by roadblocks and threats from the ZRP who were playing delaying tactics so as to delay or dishearten Chamisa’s supporters headed for the rally.
Prior to the rally the Police had issued a letter containing harsh demands if the rally was to go ahead. Some of the conditions stated that “no slogan chanting, no arrival of people in buses. No toyitoying, No blurring of car horns, strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols.”
On the contrary, the ruling Zanu-Pf party was holding its own rally some 200 km away and there were no conditions given. Actually, other media reported that there were over 70 buses who brought Zanu-PF supporters to the venue.
The previous week President Mnangagwa held his campaign rally at Epworth some few kilometers from Highfields and again the police never issued any conditions for the rally.
The roadblocks that were set up by the police led some supporters of the CCC to disembark from their vehicles and walk to Zimbabwe Grounds.
The numbers of supporters at the Chamisa rally were estimated to exceed 60 000.
The CCC rally received media coverage from as far as South Africa’s SABC News but not the local Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.
Of paramount importance, in the past week several videos of police brutality have circulated on social media platforms. One which is taken in darkness shows police officers beating people at a police station. Another has three men who narrate that they were ambushed and attacked by “members of Zanu-Pf” because of their alligience to Chamisa.
When the first school term began on the 7th of this month, teachers have been on a strike due to inadequacy of their salaries.
A teacher, who asked for anonymity, said the ZRP visited their school and teachers were accused for fostering opposition and foreign interests.
Those on strike were said to be CCC supporters and shall be punished.
In the meatime, the President was quoted having said the Teachers’ Unions are working with British palamentarians to destabilise the education sector.
In his address at Epworth rally, the President never mentioned the current job action by teachers that has affected school children country wide.
Human rights abuses still persists in the country.
Marry Mubaiwa-Chiwenga, the former wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, whom sanctions have been lifted against, limps to court now and again.
She suffers from various ailments: lymphoedema, depression and insomnia amongst others.
Her rights to medical treatment have been infringed as she has been denied medical attention outside the country.
After the CCC rally, an artist Ricky Fire who perfomed there has allegedly been threatened by the ruling party youths.
A Twitter account by Nyatsimba Mutota reads:
“I’m giving you 24 hours to issue a statement clarifying whether you are an artist or a politician. And I want you to consider yourself warned!!!!
“Don’t try to decieve people hiding behind music whilst you are a sanctions BEGGER, the countdown has begun.”
It is the silence by the state President that is worrisome when such abuses and violence against those who have opposing views persists.