ZIMBABWE FINANCIAL SANCTIONS EVASION: US Designates Individual, Removes 11 Others From Blacklist
US Treasury Department Takes Action Against Zimbabwean Official
The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated one Zimbabwean individual and removed eleven others from the Specially Designated Nationals List (SDN List) under the Zimbabwe sanctions program.
Targeting Human Rights Abusers and Underminers of Democratic Processes
The Zimbabwe sanctions program aims to target human rights abusers and those who undermine democratic processes or facilitate corruption in the country. The US Treasury Department emphasized that its sanctions do not target the Zimbabwean people, the country of Zimbabwe, or Zimbabwe’s banking sector.
Designation of Stephen Mutamba
OFAC has designated Stephen Mutamba, the Deputy Commissioner for Administration of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, for his role in undermining Zimbabwe’s democratic processes and institutions. Over the past two years, Mutamba has taken actions that threaten and undermine legitimate political parties who oppose the policies of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party.
Actions Undermining Democratic Processes
Mutamba’s actions include:
- Supporting security services’ use of pressure and intimidation on prominent opposition figures
- Uneven enforcement of a COVID-related curfew
- Advocating for vote tallies not to be displayed outside polling locations and international observers should not be allowed to monitor the 2023 elections
Financial Sanctions Against Mutamba
The US Treasury Department has implemented financial sanctions against Mutamba, which prohibits all transactions by US persons or within the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons. The designation also blocks all property and interests in property of these individuals located in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons.
Aim to Bring About Positive Change
The US Treasury Department emphasized that its sanctions aim to bring about a positive change in behavior, rather than punishing individuals or entities. The department is willing to remove individuals from the SDN List consistent with the law, as it did for 11 others who are either deceased or deemed no longer to undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes and institutions.
Call to Action
The US Treasury Department urged ZANU-PF to allow full participation across the political spectrum in next year’s elections.