BY SILENCE MUGADZAWETA
THE United Kingdom has imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on Sakunda Holdings proprietor and Zanu PF benefactor Kudakwashe Regimond Tagwirei.
Tagwirei, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ally, was named among four others when UK Foreign secretary Dominic Raab announced further sanctions on individuals under Britain’s Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime.
The UK 🇬🇧 today imposed asset freezes and travel bans against five individuals involved in serious corruption cases in four countries, including Kudakwashe Tagwirei. Here’s the statement from Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab: https://t.co/rlXKcc9cIl
— UKinZimbabwe (@UKinZimbabwe) July 22, 2021
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The sanctions target cases of serious corruption which have deprived developing countries of vital resources. The measures will also apply to any companies owned or controlled by Tagwirei.
The UK has described Tagwirei’s profile stating: “Both Sakunda and Tagwirei, as its CEO and owner, profited significantly from the misappropriation of property at the expense of wider macroeconomic stability in Zimbabwe, in one of the most serious incidences of corruption under the current government.”
The UK 🇬🇧 has today sanctioned five more corrupt individuals under our Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime.
We will do all we can to fight the blight of corruption and pursue those that line their pockets at the expense of developing nations. https://t.co/hn8YQwjfFr
— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) July 22, 2021
Raab accused Tagwirei of driving corruption in the country, resulting in microeconomic instability.
According to the British government, Tagwirei “profited significantly from the misappropriation of property at the expense of wider macroeconomic stability in Zimbabwe, in one of the most serious incidences of corruption under the current government.”
Corruption harms ordinary people which is why the UK imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on Kudakwashe Tagwirei. I look forward to seeing the Zimbabwean government put its commitment to fight corruption into action. https://t.co/sNVepseVpv
— Melanie Robinson (@HMAMelanieR) July 22, 2021
“His company, Sakunda Holdings, redeemed government of Zimbabwe Treasury Bills at up to 10 times their official value. His actions accelerated the deflation of Zimbabwe’s currency, increasing the price of essentials, such as food, for Zimbabwean citizens,” it said.
Dear President @edmnangagwa: Now that it's clear Tagwirei HAS CAPTURED the state, the ENTIRE nation – INCLUDING US – your staunch supporters await your DECISIVE ACTION to SAVE THE NATION from further sinking. Doing nothing pro-Zim about it will be far MORE COSTLY in the long run. pic.twitter.com/WUTDPpydO8
— Cde Never Maswerasei 🇳🇦 🇿🇼 (@CdeNMaswerasei) October 29, 2018
Tagwirei was also placed on United States sanctions, accused of corruption and abetting authoritarianism in Zimbabwe.
For years, he dominated the fuel industry before he moved to mining.
BREAKING NEWS INTERNATIONAL: The United States Treasury has slapped sanctions on Zimbabwean business tycoon Kudakwashe Regimond Tagwirei and his company Sakunda Holdings for actions that have "derailed economic development and harmed the Zimbabwean people through corruption".
— Brezh Malaba (@BrezhMalaba) August 5, 2020
“The action we have taken today targets individuals who have lined their own pockets at the expense of their citizens,” Raab said.
“The UK is committed to fighting the blight of corruption and holding those responsible for its corrosive effect to account.
“Corruption drains the wealth of poorer nations, keeps their people trapped in poverty and poisons the well of democracy.”
It is my humble advice – Mr President – that the Sakunda stranglehold on the economy through a combination of rent-seeking, fictitious & speculative business practices driven by corruption be stopped as a matter of urgency. It's incumbent upon your esteemed office to make decrees
— Cde Never Maswerasei 🇳🇦 🇿🇼 (@CdeNMaswerasei) October 29, 2018
Tagwirei is one of five people on the second UK Global Anti-Corruption sanctions list.
Others targeted are Alex Nain Saab Morán and Alvaro Enrique Pulido Vargas of Venezuela, Equatorial Guinea vice-president Teodoro Obiang Mangue, Iraq’s Nineveh province governor Nawfal Hammadi Al-Sultan.
Tainted!Twice, on March 14 and 28, I wrote editorials on my @mail_review challenging Pres @edmnangagwa to "come clean on cartels", and his irregular relationship with #KudaTagwirei. Recently, I again raised alarm on ED's wanting to monopolise public transport under Tagwirei. 1/ pic.twitter.com/lC5Lq4XMid
— Tichaona Zindoga (@TichZindoga) August 5, 2020
He said the sanctions would ensure the targeted individuals would no longer be able to channel their money through UK banks or enter the country.
The UK sanctions on Tagwirei: “The UK will impose asset freezes and travel bans against these individuals to ensure they will no longer be able to channel their money through UK banks or enter the country.”
NEWS: New UK sanctions against individuals involved in corruption around the world ⤵️https://t.co/zHJLzX2pJp
— Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) July 22, 2021
Yesterday, the US welcomed the UK’s decision to slap the five “corrupt individuals” with sanctions.
UK imposes illegal sanctions on Mr. Kudakwashe Tagwirei‼️
United Kingdom today imposed asset freezes and travel bans against businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei. pic.twitter.com/TRPTRUxybP
— 🇿🇼 ZANU PF PATRIOTS 🇿🇼 (@zanupf_patriots) July 22, 2021
In a joint statement, Treasury secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “We commend the UK’s actions today against four corrupt individuals already designated by the US and a fifth whose US-based assets purchased with corrupt proceeds were successfully forfeited in US courts.”
We support a stable and democratic Zimbabwe. Our new sanctions against Kudakwashe Tagwirei and Sakunda Holdings today demonstrate to the government and people of Zimbabwe that the U.S. will not tolerate public corruption or hesitate to take action to promote accountability.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 5, 2020
They added: “Corruption has a corrosive effect on society: it undermines democratic institutions, hinders economic development, drains the wealth of nations, and keeps people in poverty. The US is committed to working with, and supporting, our partners and allies in the fight against corruption. Today’s action by the United Kingdom is an important step in this effort.”
“We support a stable and democratic Zimbabwe. Our new sanctions against Kudakwashe Tagwirei and Sakunda Holdings… demonstrate to Zimbabwe that the U.S. will not tolerate public corruption or hesitate to take action to promote accountability.” -Sec Pompeo https://t.co/Nf3AJzwF4y pic.twitter.com/FkXTwFrfmi
— U.S. Embassy Zambia (@usembassyzambia) August 6, 2020
They said the US woulwd continue working with the UK and other like-minded allies and partners to impose tangible and significant consequences on those who engage in corruption, as well as to protect the global financial system.
1)As promised, this is the thread about how Mbinga Tagwirei started. This thread will focus on what he is famous for,fuel industry. Tagwirei was a CBZ employee not long ago, juggling work and small businesses with his business partner, Mr John Mangudya, the current RBZ governor. pic.twitter.com/XHeXpNTrOu
— Mbuya Gudo from dotito (@MamoyoT) July 22, 2021
The UK’s action came just 49 days after US President Joe Biden, issued a directive targeting corruption globally.
The sanctions imposed by US and UK are not enough but symbolic.Tagwirei must return the money he LOOTED with his ZANUPF folks from the @ReserveBankZIM
He got 10 times more value on treasury bills.That is THEFT which YOU will pay for, and yet some clowns call him a businessman! pic.twitter.com/1b1EE0B99n
— Hopewell Chin’ono Today (@daddyhope) July 22, 2021
Biden, last month, took Presidential Action and issued a “Memorandum on Establishing the Fight against Corruption as a Core United States National Security Interest” making tackling corruption a national security imperative.
Report shows how offshore holdings were used to obscure funding sources. Network of assets – Sotic, Landela, Kuvimba, add to efforts to make it difficult to know what is owned by whom. Report uses company records to follow the ownership trail upwards.
— Kubatana (@kubatana) July 21, 2021
Biden said: “I establish countering corruption as a core United States national security interest … prevent and combat corruption at home and abroad; and make it increasingly difficult for corrupt actors to shield their activities.”
Until Zimbabwe deals with looting, it is going nowhere!Sadly the looters have protection from people who abuse State institutions by prosecuting those fighting corruption!
Meet Kudakwashe Tagwirei (Queen B) and Tino Machakaire (Mr Rolls Royce).
The State is being LOOTED daily! pic.twitter.com/N4UQPCZl6s
— Hopewell Chin’ono Today (@daddyhope) July 17, 2021
The action will lead international efforts to bring transparency to the global financial system and close loopholes that undermine democracy. — Additional reporting by foreign correspondent Pearl Matibe in Washington DC
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