Gono, journalists and military officers added to EU sanctions

Gono, journalists and military officers added to EU sanctions

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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWE’S central bank governor, the country’s cricket boss, two journalists and several officials from the security services are all on a new expanded list of individuals under European Union sanctions.

The new sanctions, announced moments after the historic signing of a memorandum of understanding between Zimbabwe’s major parties on Monday, have been criticised as unhelpful by the South African government.

South Africa is hosting negotiating teams from Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF party and the two MDC factions who are seeking to hammer out a power sharing arrangement after a disputed presidential election.

Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono, journalists Caesar Zvayi (who recently left the state-run Herald newspaper) and Munyaradzi Huni (Sunday Mail), Attorney General Bharat Patel and Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Peter Chingoka are on a list of 37 individuals targeted by the new sanctions.

The sanctions now cover some 172 individuals – all said to be associates to President Robert Mugabe and directly responsible for human rights violations.

The sanctions are aimed at “individuals who engage in activities which seriously undermine democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe,'' the EU said.

Also included on the list are Jocelyn Chiwenga, wife of army commander Constantine Chiwenga, and Joyce Kazembe, deputy chairwoman of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

Gono is alleged to have funded Zanu PF’s campaign of violence against supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in the run-up to the June 27 presidential election runoff. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai boycotted the poll which President Robert Mugabe won by 85.5 percent.

Speaking last week, Gono accused Britain of instigating sanctions against Zimbabwe, which he said posed a threat to Zimbabwe’s national security.

Gono said: “As I see them, the ongoing efforts instigated by the British government to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe on account of a disputed presidential election would set a very dangerous precedent which would itself be a very serious threat to international peace.

“Conversely, the fact that there are some Zimbabwean political groups or individuals that are supporting those efforts is a clear threat to national unity and stability.”

Fourteen military officials have also been banned for being “directly involved in the terror campaign waged before and during the elections,'' the EU said.

The EU also imposed restrictions, which include the right to seize foreign funds, on four companies. Zidco Holdings Ltd., described by the EU as a “Zanu-PF holding company;'' Jongwe Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd., which prints newspapers and magazines for Zanu PF; Cold Comfort Farm Trust Cooperative, owned by State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa; and the Zimbabwe Defence Industries, a state-owned arms and military uniform manufacturer.

The following are individuals whose names have been added to the existing 131 people banned from travelling to the EU:

132. Gono, Gideon - RBZ Governor
133. Kazembe, Joyce – Deputy head of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
134. Patel Bharat P - Businessman
135. Chiwenga Jocelyn – Businesswoman and ZDF chief Constantine Chiwenga’s wife
136. Dube Tshingo - Zimbabwe Defence Industries Chief
137. Huni Munyaradzi - Sunday Mail Journalist
138. Kereke Munyaradzi - Diplomat
139. Chiremba Mirirai - Finance Ministry Official
140. Zvayi Caesar - Former Herald Journalist
141. Chingoka Peter - Zimbabwe Cricket boss
143. General Karakadzai - ZNA
144. Colonel C. Sibanda - ZNA
145. Brigadier Tarumbwa - ZNA
146. Col. M. Mzilikazi (MID) - ZNA
147. Col. Mutsvunguma - ZNA
148. Brigadier General Shungu - ZNA
149. Col. Chipwere - ZNA
150. Col. F. Mhonda - ZNA
151. Air Vice Marshall Henry Muchena - AFZ
152. Air Vice Marshall Abu Basutu - AFZ
153. Brigadier General Khumalo - ZNA
154. E. A. Rugeje - State security
155. Col G. Mashava - ZNA
156. Lt. Col. Muchono - ZNA
157. Lt. Col. Mpabanga ZNA
158. Commandant R. Kwenda -ZNA
159. Brigadier General Sigauke - ZNA
160. Col Gwekwerere -ZNA
161. Col. C. T. Gurira -ZNA
162. Brigadier General D. Nyikayaramba - ZNA
163. Brigadier General Rungani -ZNA
164. Chinotimba Joseph - War Veterans leader
165. Moyo, Gilbert - War Veteran
166. Rangwani, Dani - Police
167. Jangara, Thomsen - Police
168. Tonderai Matibiri, Innocent - Police Chief
169. Zidco Holdings - Zanu PF company
170. Jongwe Printing and Publishing - Zanu PF company
171. Cold Comfort Farm Trust Co-operative
172. Zimbabwe Defence Industries

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