The United States on Monday sanctioned the son of Zimbabwe’s president and three other individuals on corruption charges, hours before the start of the Africa summit where U.S. President Joe Biden is meeting with several African leaders.
The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions against Emmerson Mnangagwa Junior — son of Emmerson Mnangagwa — for his relationship with businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, owner of Sakunda Holdings, sanctioned for alleged corruption in 2020.
The Treasury has also sanctioned Tagwirei’s wife, co-founder of Sakunda; Nqobile Magwizi, marketing director of the company; and Obey Chimuka, owner of Fossil Contracting and director of Fossil Agro, two companies also sanctioned for providing material and logistical support to the Zimbabwean government.
«The goal of the sanctions is behavioral change. Today’s actions demonstrate our support for a transparent and prosperous Zimbabwe,» said Treasury Undersecretary Brian Nelson.
Treasury has remarked that the sanctions package targets human rights violators and those who undermine democratic processes or facilitate corruption.
The U.S. sanctions do not target the people of Zimbabwe, the country of Zimbabwe, or the Zimbabwean banking sector, a U.S. State Department statement said.
«We urge the Government of Zimbabwe to take meaningful steps to create a peaceful, prosperous, and politically vibrant Zimbabwe, and to address the root causes of many of Zimbabwe’s ills: corrupt elites and their abuse of the country’s institutions for personal gain,» Nelson said.
