Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
SANCTIONS imposed on Zimbabwe must be removed immediately as they are unjustified and unfair, acting Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Paul Mavima has said.
Addressing thousands of people gathered at Chipadze Stadium in Bindura today for the 2026 SADC Anti-Sanctions Day commemorations, Prof Mavima said Zimbabwe would continue pursuing its economic transformation agenda despite the coercive measures.
He said Zimbabwe remained committed to achieving upper middle-income economy status by 2030 while strengthening international partnerships and building an economy based on domestic production and investment.
“Remove these sanctions because they are unfair. Remove them because they are illegal. Remove them because they were imposed by a select few based on fabrications against our actions as a nation,” Prof Mavima said.
“Remove them because we want Zimbabwe to remain peaceful. Remove them because Zimbabwe is a sovereign state, a free country. Zimbabwe is not a property or appendage of any other country. They should be removed today; in fact, they should have been removed yesterday.”
The commemorations were held under the theme “Leveraging regional integration and global partnership for economic transformation beyond illegal sanctions”.
Zimbabwe, Prof Mavima said, had chosen to pursue its development agenda while strengthening relations with countries and institutions willing to engage on mutually beneficial terms.
He said the Land Reform Programme was a closed chapter, adding that the country was now looking beyond sanctions by investing in infrastructure, innovation and industrialisation while expanding international economic partnerships.
He cited ongoing road construction, dam projects, housing developments and improvements in internet connectivity as evidence of the country’s continued development efforts.
“We know that once they are removed, our country will prosper at a pace that will amaze the entire world,” he said.
Prof Mavima said the Government remained committed to its engagement and re-engagement policy and was open to investors prepared to conduct business on fair terms.
Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Christopher Magomo said regional integration and international partnerships were important in creating economic opportunities and strengthening the country’s resilience to external shocks.
Mashonaland Central, he said, had significant opportunities in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism and small and medium enterprises that could be unlocked through investment and access to wider regional and international markets.
“Government institutions, the private sector, local authorities, traditional leaders, community organisations and our development partners all have a role to play in translating regional cooperation into local economic opportunities.”
