UK Lifts Sanctions on Four Zimbabwean Individuals ...

UK Lifts Sanctions on Four Zimbabwean Individuals and ZDI

Staff Reporter

The United Kingdom has announced the lifting of sanctions against four Zimbabwean individuals and the state-owned entity Zimbabwe Defence Industries.

The delisting, effective Tuesday, May 27, 2025, was confirmed by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in a statement.

The individuals delisted are Owen Ncube, Isaac Moyo, Godwin Matanga, and Anselem Sanyatwe. This move by the UK follows similar actions by other international bodies, with the European Union having delisted ZDI in February 2025, and the United States removing a number of its designations in March 2024.

Owen "Mudha" Ncube currently serves as the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, a position he assumed in September 2023. He previously held the role of Minister of State for National Security from 2017 to 2022.

Isaac Moyo was the Director-General of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) from December 2017 to January 2025. Prior to this, he was Zimbabwe's Ambassador to South Africa and Lesotho. Moyo had been sanctioned by the UK in February 2021.

Godwin Tandabantu Matanga served as the Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) from December 2017 to December 2024. Matanga is a veteran of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.

Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe is currently the Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture. He previously commanded the Zimbabwe National Army from October 2023 to March 2025 and also commanded the Presidential Guard.