For alleged corruption, the United Kingdom has placed an asset freeze and travel ban on one of Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s advisers.
The affluent Kudakwashe Tagwirei was at the center of a contentious government agriculture subsidy, according to UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who claims he plundered over $3 billion from the state through Treasury Bills.
The sanctions will also apply to any entities owned or controlled by the businessman.
“In one of the most extreme instances of corruption under the current regime, (Mr Tagwirei) benefitted greatly from the misuse of property at the risk of wider macroeconomic stability in Zimbabwe,” Mr Raab said.
“His company, Sakunda Holdings, redeemed Treasury Bills issued by the Zimbabwean government.
“His actions accelerated the deflation of Zimbabwe’s currency, increasing the price of essentials such as food, for Zimbabwean citizens.”
Melanie Robinson, the British ambassador to Zimbabwe, said corruption was harmful to ordinary people.
“Corruption harms ordinary people, which is why the UK imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on Kudakwashe Tagwirei,” Ambassador Robinson said.
“I look forward to seeing the Zimbabwean government put its commitment to fight corruption into action.”
Mr Tagwirei was one of five individuals sanctioned by the United Kingdom as part of the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions system.
Vice President Teodoro Obiang Mangue of Equatorial Guinea, Venezuelan businessmen Nain Saab Moran and Alvaro Enrique Pulido Vargas, and Iraqi governor Nawfal Hammadi Al-Sultan were among those targeted.
