EU adds 5 deputy ministers to sanctions list

EU adds 5 deputy ministers to sanctions list

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By Staff Reporter

THE European Union (EU) on Wednesday added five Zimbabwean deputy ministers to its sanctions list, on a day president Robert Mugabe fired his latest salvo at the West for plotting to topple his government.

The EU said it was updating the list of about 100 key officials in Mugabe's government who are under targeted sanctions following a mini-cabinet reshuffle and continued human rights abuses.

Walter Mzembi, who earlier this year led a delegation of Zimbabwean MPs for the African Caribbean Pacific summit, is on the new EU sanctions list.

Guy Georgias, the deputy minister for economic development, his indigenisation and empowerment counterpart Tracy Mutinhiri and her husband Rtd Brigadier Ambrose Mutinhiri, who is minister of youth development and employment creation, are also banned from travelling to the European Union or owning assets there.

In a statement after a meeting of member states in Brussels Wednesday the EU added that it was concerned by “the rapidly deteriorating human rights, political and economic situation in Zimbabwe."

"The Council condemns in particular the acts of violent repression against
the opposition and calls on all parties to refrain from violence," the EU said.

The EU sanctions on the five deputy ministers came as the United States noted increasing repression against Mugabe's opponents and called for reforms.

White House deputy press secretary Dana Perino said: “The American people join the international community in supporting those in Zimbabwe who bravely speak out for urgent political and economic reforms.”

“Zimbabweans understand that a return to freedom and prosperity requires a
new direction. We support their efforts to achieve a new and true independence, free from tyranny and poverty.”

Mugabe's government banned rallies in Harare and Chitungwiza last month ahead of the 2008 presidential elections. It said the move had been precipitated by a campaign of violence by MDC activists who are accused of a spate of petrol bombings. The MDC denies the allegations.

MDC officials defied the ban on March 11. They were arrested and beaten up in police custody.

President Robert Mugabe defended the police actions.

Lat month SADC mandated South African president Thabo Mbeki to mediate in the Zimbabwean crisis.

On Wednesday Mugabe said security agents would deal firmly with the MDC
members, whom he accused of violence.

Said Mugabe: “I wish to applaud the resilience of our people, who have resisted the brazen attempts of our detractors, openly working in cahoots with their shameless local puppets, to reverse the gains of our Independence through their ‘regime change’ agenda.”

“We have observed how of late, this conspiracy has attempted to transform into a militant criminal strain, characterised by the puerile attempts of misguided opposition elements to create a state of anarchy through an orgy of violence.

"As government, our message remains clear that we will not hesitate to deal firmly with those elements who are bent on fomenting anarchy.”

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