THE European Union (EU) yesterday removed 21 Zanu PF officials and one company from the sanctions list while immediately suspending travel restrictions on six of President Robert Mugabe’s ministers. Report by Everson Mushava
EU ambassador Aldo Dell Ariccia said the move was in recognition of the progress made in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement.
Among those benefiting from the decision are Mugabe’s nephew Patrick Zhuwawo.
Ministers Walter Mzembi (Tourism), Francis Nhema (Environnment), Herbert Murerwa (Lands), Sylvester Nguni (State Minister in the Vice-President’s Office), Sithembiso Nyoni (Small and Medium Scale Enterprises) and Information minister Webster Shamu had their travel bans suspended.
Ariccia said the six ministers were still on the sanctions list, but could now freely visit EU countries.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare, the EU envoy said the 27-member bloc met in Brussels, Belgium, and made the decision after appreciating the successful conclusion of the constitution-making process and the setting up of March 16 as the referendum date.
“The reasons for which they were listed were no longer there,” he said justifying the decision.
Officials delisted from the sanctions list include the late Higher Education minister Stan Mudenge, the late Vice-President John Nkomo and former ministers David Chapfika, Cephas Msipa, David Parirenyatwa and Shuvai Mahofa.
