The British government has removed targeted sanctions imposed on the late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe and moved his wife, Grace Mugabe, to the suspended designated persons list with three top Zanu PF leaders, who used to be military commanders.
In a statement, Treasury’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation said the new measures similar to the latest move by the European Union which also struck off Mugabe from its sanctions register, will remain in force until February 20, 2021.
“The following entry has been removed from the consolidated list and is no longer subjet to an asset freeze – Robert Gabriel Mugabe,” said the British government, adding that Grace Mugabe has been put on the suspended sanctions list “and is no longer subject to an asset freeze.”
According to the British government, “Chiwenga Constantine; Shiri Perence (a.k.a. Bigboy) Samson Chikerema; Sibanda Phillip Valerio (a.k.a. Valentine) and Mugabe Grace”, remain on the suspended designated persons.
Like the European Union, the British retained targeted sanctions on the Zimbabwe Defence Industries, which has over the years been associated with the Ministry of Defence. There are indications that the British government and European Union also view it as a faction of the state.
The EU, USA, Australia and other countries imposed targeted sanction on senior Zanu PF officials following claims of human rights abuses and election rigging.