Staff ReporterHarare-The United States Government on Wednesday slapped Zimbabwe’s State Security Minister Owen Ncube and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Retired Brigadier-General Anselem Sanyatwe, with sanctions that bar them from entering the US.
A statement on the US State department website said the two had committed human rights abuses by directing attacks on peaceful protesters.
“Today, the United States designated Anselem Sanyatwe and Owen Ncube for their role in human rights abuses related to political repression in Zimbabwe. These designations demonstrate continued U.S. commitment to promoting accountability for human rights abuses,” read the statement
The US called on the Zimbabwean Government to stop state sponsored violence.
“The State Department urges the Government of Zimbabwe to immediately end state-sponsored violence including against peaceful protesters, civil society, labor leaders and members of the opposition in Zimbabwe, and to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations and abuse.
“As a result of today’s action, all assets, property, and interests of property of Sanyatwe and Ncube that are, or come within, U.S. jurisdiction, or the possession or control of U.S. persons, are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them”
Concurrently, the Treasury Department removed sanctions on Ray Kaukonde, the late Shuvai Ben Mahofa, Sithokozile Mathuthu, and Naison Ndlovu, all of whom were previously designated pursuant to Treasury’s authorities but are deceased and/or no longer meet the sanctions criteria.
