EU removes 51 from sanctions list

President Mugabe this weekend in an effort to facilitate serious re-engagement between the bloc and Zimbabwe.
EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Aldo Dell’Ariccia said this yesterday while announcing the extension of the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe by six months at his offices yesterday.
Mr Dell’Ariccia said the EU had also suspended travel restrictions against Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa to enable the proposed dialogue to take place effectively.
“The European Commission and Council are also informing the President of Zimbabwe, President Mugabe that the EU wishes to invite Zimbabwe to an intensified political dialogue,” he said.
Mr Dell’Ariccia added: “In order to define further steps of normalising relations between EU and Zimbabwe, the EU has lifted the travel ban to two Zanu-PF ministers. This is a decision that has been taken, which is of immediate application and a letter will be sent to President Mugabe informing him of the decision.”
A six-member committee was set up at the formation of the inclusive Government to lead dialogue for the normalisation of relations between EU and Zimbabwe but its efforts were frustrated by the reluctance on the part of the Europeans.
Minister Chinamasa was held up at Frankfurt International Airport on his way to Belgium for the talks over visa issues on two occasions making it difficult for the re-engagement to proceed.
The other members of the committee include Finance Minister Tendai Biti, Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Mangoma (both MDC-T) and Regional Integration and International Co-operation Minister Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Organ of National Healing co-chair Moses Mzila Ndlovu (both MDC).
Announcing the decision to remove the individuals from the sanctions list, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, said the move was taken in light of developments in the country.
“EU also welcomes progress made towards the creation of a conducive environment for the holding of free, fair, peaceful and transparent elections through the development of the roadmap sponsored by Sadc.
“It pays tribute to the efforts of Sadc and the South African facilitator (President Jacob Zuma) in accompanying the Zimbabwean people along that road,” she said.
Some of the people removed from the list are the late former Zimbabwe National Army Commander General Solomon Mujuru and the late former Harare Governor David Karimanzira.
The two were declared national heroes and are interred at the National Heroes Acre.
Zimbabwe Newspapers Group (1980) Private Limited board chairman Dr Paul Chimedza, group chief executive officer Mr Justin Mutasa and chief operating officer Mr Pikirayi Deketeke were also removed from the list.
The Herald deputy editor Caesar Zvayi was also removed together with Sunday Mail assistant editor Munyaradzi Huni, ZBH chief executive officer Mr Happison Muchechetere, chief correspondent Rueben Barwe and diplomatic correspondent Judith Makwanya as well as Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe chairman Dr Tafataona Mahoso.
Mr Dell’Ariccia said the journalists were removed because of the improvements in the media environment in the country.
The EU imposed illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2002 at the instigation of Britain after the country embarked on the fast track land reform programme.
The embargo that was imposed on Zimbabwe, a decade ago, for embarking on the land reform programme to resettle the landless majority, has brought untold suffering on the ordinary citizens.
This also blocked local business to access lines of credit from international financiers.
Over 2,2 million Zimbabweans countrywide signed the National Anti-Sanctions Petition launched by President Mugabe in March last year.
The launch drew thousands people from all walks of life, among them academics, politicians, business and religious leaders.
Sadc, Comesa, the African Union, the Non Aligned Movement and other progressive people and organisations the world over have denounced the illegal sanctions, which precipitated the economic meltdown of the past decade.

Full list
Name (and any aliases) Number in Council Decision 2011/101/CFSP
Barwe, Reuben 3
Bredenkamp, John Arnold 5
Chimbudzi, Alice 15
Chimedza, Paul 15
Chimutengwende, Chenhamo Chekezha 17
Chinamasa, Monica 18
Chiremba, Mirirai 24
Chitakunye, Eliphas 25
Chiwenga, Jocelyn 27
Chiwewe, Willard 29
Chiweshe, George 28
Deketeke, Pikirayi 31
Dube, Tshinga Judge 33
Gumbo, Rugare Eleck Ngidi 36
Hungwe, Josaya (a.k.a. Josiah) Dunira 39
Huni, Munyaradzi 40
Karimanzira, David Ishemunyoro Godi 43
Kazembe, Joyce Laetitia 46
Kereke, Munyaradzi 47
Mahoso, Tafataona 58
Makwanya, Judith 59
Makwavarara, Sekesai 60
Manyonda, Kenneth Vhundukai 63
Matanyaire, Munyaradzi 67
Mavhaire, Dzikamai 72
Mbiriri, Partson 73
Mombeshora, Millicent Sibongile 79
Moyo, July Gabarari 82
Muchechetere, Happison 88
Mudzvova, Paul 96
Mugabe, Leo 98
Mujuru, Solomon T.R 101
Mukosi, Musoro Wegomo 102
Mumbengegwi, Samuel Creighton 104
Mutasa, Gertrude 110
Mutasa, Justin Mutsawehuni 111
Mutiwekuziva, Kenneth Kaparadza 114
Muzenda, Tsitsi V. 116
Muzonzini, Elisha 117
Ncube, Abedinico 120
Ndlovu, Sikhanyiso ` 121
Nkala, Herbert 124
Nyawani, Misheck 128
Patel, Bharat 132
Rautenbach, Muller Conrad (a.k.a. Billy 134
Sakabuya, Morris 138
Samkange, Nelson Tapera Crispen 140
Sandi, Eunice Moyo 141
Shumba, Isaiah Masvayamwando 148
Utete, Charles 159
Zvayi, Caesar 163

ENTITIES (20)
Name (and any aliases) Number in Council decision 2011/101/CFSP
Alpha International (Pvt) Ltd 1
Breco (Asia Pacifi) Ltd 2
Breco (Eastern Europe) Ltd 3
Breco (South Africa) Ltd 4
Breco (UK) Ltd 5
Breco Group 6
Breco International 7
Breco Nominees Ltd 8
Breco Services Ltd 9
Corybantes Ltd 12
Echo Delta Holdings 14
Masters International Ltd 18
Ndlovu Motorways 19
Piedmont (UK) Ltd 21
Raceview Enterprises 22
Ridgepoint Overseas Developments Ltd (a.k.a Ridgepoint Overseas Developments Ltd) 23
Scottle Holdings (Pvt) Ltd 24
Scottlee Resorts Ltd 25
Timpani Export Ltd 27
Tremalt Ltd 28