The United Kingdom has imposed its first sanctions against Zimbabwe since its departure from the European Union.
The UK has imposed sanctions on security chiefs for violating human rights.
Zim live reports that the UK has imposed a travel and freezer assets for State security minister Owen Ncube, CIO boss Isaac Ncube, police chief Godwin Magaya and Former presidential guard Anselem Senyatwe.
In a press release statement the common wealth and development office said these restrictive measures are not targeted at, nor intended to impact, the wider economy and the people of Zimbabwe
Four Zimbabwean security sector chiefs responsible for serious human rights violations – including the deaths of 23 Zimbabwean protestors – have been designated under the UK’s new autonomous sanctions regime, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced today.
Today’s announcement ensures these individuals cannot freely travel to the UK, channel money through UK banks or profit from our economy. These restrictive measures are not targeted at, nor intended to impact, the wider economy and the people of Zimbabwe.
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union and the end of the Transition Period, the UK can now pursue an independent sanctions policy reflecting our foreign policy and national security interests. Today’s designations are the first the UK has made of individuals under the UK’s Zimbabwe autonomous sanctions regime, which came into force at 11pm on 31 December 2020.
The new sanctions include a travel ban and asset freeze on four officials:
- Owen Ncube, Minister for State Security;
- Isaac Moyo, Director General of the Central Intelligence Organisation;
- Godwin Matanga, Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police; and
- Anselem Sanyatwe, former Brigadier General, Commander of the Presidential Guard and Tactical Commander of the National Reaction Force.
These targeted designations hold to account those responsible for the worst human rights violations against the people of Zimbabwe since President Emmerson Mnangagwa took power in November 2017. This includes a state-sponsored crackdown against protests in January 2019 that resulted in the deaths of 17 Zimbabweans and post-election violence in August 2018 in which six protestors lost their lives.
The Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 came fully into force on the 31 December 2020. They are intended to ensure that certain sanctions measures relating to Zimbabwe continue to operate effectively.
