Scott Sakupwanya calls for removal of targeted san...

Scott Sakupwanya calls for removal of targeted sanctions on individuals, entities

Zim Now Writer

Mabvuku-Tafara MP Pedzai "Scott" Sakupwanya has called for the unconditional removal of sanctions on targeted Zimbabweans by the United States and its allies.

Zimbabwe has survived more than 23 years under the US's Zimbabwe Democracy and the Economic Recovery Act of 2001, the sanctions imposed on the southern African country in 2001 following the fast-track land reform.

While the US disputably argues that the economic embargoes only target 61 individuals and 37 entities and not the Zimbabwean economy, the restrictions stalled the country’s economic progress by closing lines of credit.

US allies like the European Union also slapped a considerable list of Zimbabweans with sanctions.

Debating in Parliament the motion about the impact of sanctions on Tuesday, Sakupwanya demanded the removal of targeted individuals from the sanctions list.

The prominent gold dealer added that his late father was also on the list when he was alive.

“I now want to speak to the inclusion of individuals placed on the sanctions list who have never themselves been tried or convicted in a court of law for the alleged crimes that warrant their presence on the sanctions list.

“I would highlight that my own father was on the sanctions list yet right up until the time of his death, he was the most honourable man that I knew who never stole anything from anyone and his only crime was to fight for this country and its land, him together with other stalwarts who are living and deceased

“He was supposedly removed from these sanctions some years ago. However, today, because I share both his name and surname, if I were to attempt to receive or send money outside the country, it would be blocked just because I share both his name and surname.

“Speaking to the fact that when the Americans say they have removed him from the sanctions list, it is a public relation move to hoodwink the public that sanctions do not exist. In the same vein, when they say sanctions hurt only a few, they do so to push a narrative that is far from the truth.

“Madam Speaker, it is imperative that the individuals targeted on this list be removed as there is no basis under which they have been targeted. It is in no way beneficial to the people of Zimbabwe. In fact, it appears as a means of coercion by the Western forces for us to remain slaves and be subservient to their agenda, which we need to consult and find out what it is. Madam Speaker, the purpose of these sanctions does not benefit Zimbabweans in any way. When they were instituted, elements within the Zimbabwean opposition of the time were used to justify their initiation.”

The US Embassy in Harare recently told this publication that its sanctions only target certain entities and individuals, not the economy.

“The US sanctions target 61 individuals and 37 entities for involvement in human rights abuses, corruption, or undermining democratic processes in Zimbabwe. Targeted sanctions are not the cause for Zimbabwe’s economic troubles. Instead, decades of economic mismanagement and widespread corruption have directly caused this lasting negative economic impact.

“To be clear, US sanctions do not target Zimbabwe as a country or the Zimbabwean people but only target individuals and entities determined to have been responsible for human rights abuses, engaged in high-level corruption, or undermined democratic processes or institutions. The US government reviews and updates the sanctions list regularly,” the Embassy said.