U.S. Sanctions: Top ZRP Officer Added, 11 Others Removed From List
The United States of America on Thursday, 15 September, announced the removal of 11 individuals from the Zimbabwe sanctions list.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has, however, designated one Zimbabwe individual on the Specially Designated Nationals List (SDN List) under the Zimbabwe sanctions program.
The US Treasury said sanctions do not target the Zimbabwean people, the country of Zimbabwe, or Zimbabwe’s banking sector.
It said the sanctions program targets human rights abusers and those who undermine democratic processes or facilitate corruption. A statement seen by Pindula News reads in part:
The 11 individuals being removed from the SDN list are either deceased or have been deemed to no longer undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes and institutions.
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Each year, the U.S. Government removes hundreds of individuals and entities from the SDN List. Each removal is based on a thorough review.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Deputy Commissioner for Administration, Stephen Mutamba, has been added to the sanctions list.
Why was Mutamba designated by OFAC?
OFAC said Mutamba was designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13469 for his role in undermining Zimbabwe’s democratic processes and institutions. It added:
Over the past two years, Mutamba has taken actions that threaten and undermine legitimate political parties that oppose the policies of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party.
In 2020, Mutamba supported Zimbabwe security services’ use of pressure and intimidation on prominent opposition figures.
Also in 2020, Mutamba supported the uneven enforcement of a COVID-related curfew, encouraging security forces to limit opposition activities and did not allow for foreign national officials located in Zimbabwe to meet with Zimbabwean opposition parties or civil society groups.
In 2021, Mutamba advocated that vote tallies not be displayed outside polling locations and that international observers should not be allowed to monitor the 2023 elections.
The implications of the designation
All Mutamba’s property and interests in property located in the United States have been blocked. OFAC said:
As a result of today’s designation, all property and interests in property of these persons located in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.
In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 per cent or more in the aggregate by one or more of such persons are also blocked.
All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons are prohibited, unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or otherwise exempt.
These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.
