Sever ties with West, opposition dares govt

OPPOSITION parties, Citizens Coalition for Change and Zapu have challenged the Zanu PF government to cut ties with countries that have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe if it is true that the restrictions are hurting the economy.

At every opportunity, government has been claiming that the country's economy is under-performing due to sanctions imposed by the West.

This is despite that the United States, which is one of the countries that imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, has one of its biggest embassies in Africa in Harare.

Speaking during a virtual discussion organised by the Nkayi Community Parliament on Sunday, Zapu spokesperson Mso Ndlovu said: "Zanu PF has a perfect excuse for its incompetence, corruption and ineptitude. Sanctions have become its pushback tool of choice when faced with questions of misgovernance. The irony is that the sanctions are said to be affecting everyone and everything, but the same government has a means to import luxury goods for the elite and for vote-buying when critical services remain unattended.”

Ndlovu said a sanctions policy issue could not be addressed through Zimbabweans carrying placards and marching in the streets.

“If sanctions are real then government must cut diplomatic ties with those countries that imposed them; otherwise sanctions will remain a scapegoat for Zanu PF,” Ndlovu said, adding that it is bad for Zanu PF to also use schoolchildren in anti-sanctions campaigns.

CCC deputy spokesperson Felix Magalela Sibanda said the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe were targeted and would not impact on the majority of the population.

"Zimbabwe is ranked third in the total corruption index. The US and United Kingdom have always put money into Zimbabwe to assist citizens, an indication that it's only certain individuals who are on the targeted sanctions list,” Sibanda said.

Five Zimbabweans still on the sanctions list include former State Security minister Owen Ncube, Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, Zimbabwe's ambassador to Tanzania Anselem Sanyatwe, and business tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei.

The UK and US have been providing millions of dollars in development aid despite the sanctions.

Recently, Zanu PF youth league deputy secretary Tendai Chirau said plans were underway to craft a local sanctions policy to deal with people who call for sanctions to be imposed on the country.

“The right to democracy should never be abused by people who want to work with those who are against the development of this country. Yes, the government has a responsibility to take care of you, but everyday, you are calling this government illegal and illegitimate,” Chirau said.

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