Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees, and Restrictees Association (ZEPPDRA) has added its voice to calls for the immediate removal of illegal Western sanctions on the country.
Zimbabwe has been under illegal sanctions for the past two decades. America and its Western allies imposed them as a response to the country’s fast-track land reform programme which started to correct the skewed land ownership that favoured white farmers.
As President Mnangagwa leads the Anti-Sanctions Day commemorations with several activities that include solidarity marches, speeches and an all-night gala today, ZEPPDRA has said the removal of sanctions will lead to improvement of welfare of former freedom fighters and collaborators.
The Second Republic under President Mnangagwa has, despite the sanctions, made tremendous economic progress including in the welfare of citizens using locally available resources as it implements the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Sadc Heads of State and Government in 2019 proclaimed October 25 as a day of solidarity with the Zimbabwean people against sanctions.
This followed a meeting held by Sadc leaders in Tanzania where member states resolved to conduct various activities in their respective countries on the day to resoundingly call for the immediate removal of the sanctions.
ZEPPDRA vice-chairman for Matabeleland North Cde Public Widi Nkomo said ex-political prisoners, detainees, and restrictees in the province will join various activities in their local areas to add voice against sanctions.
“The Zimbabwe Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees, and Restrictees Association Matabeleland North provincial leadership wishes to call on the unconditional end of the illegal sanctions imposed on our motherland,” said Cde Nkomo.
He said Zimbabweans, particularly former freedom fighters and war collaborators were victims of the Ian Smith regime and colonialism and the country is being punished for correcting colonial imbalances.
“We want these sanctions removed now. We went to jail and others died as we fought for democracy. Our people were evicted from their land into sandy soils and the West was quiet. Now because we reclaimed our land they start talking of democracy. Where was this democracy when we were being victimised?
“We are saying democracy must have the same definition and not be selective. The intention of these sanctions is to incite people, to revolt against a democratically elected Government but this will never happen,” said Cde Nkomo.
He said the country should be liberated from economic bondage pushed through sanctions which have led to continued closure of some industries.
ZEPPDRA said sanctions were imposed without going through the United Nations and the world was misled that they are targeted at individual leaders.
As a result of the illegal sanctions, Cde Nkomo said the country cannot access lines of credit while citizens struggle to get jobs because of closure of industries.
He accused Western countries of having double standards saying they opposed sanctions that were imposed on Smith government in 1965 because they enjoyed brutality against blacks while protecting the white regime.
“We want the country to be liberated from these illegal sanctions because we are being reprimanded for correcting colonial imbalances. Our Government has tried to take care of our welfare despite the sanctions and we know that once removed, our welfare will improve,” added Cde Nkomo.
Provincial chair Cde Roger Mahlangu said former political prisoners and detainees are concerned about their welfare and that of their children which they are hopeful will improve once sanctions are removed. — @ncubeleon
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