Zim Envoy Faces US Sanctions

Zimbabwean ambassador to Tanzania Anselem Sanyatwe is facing US sanctions, meaning he and his immediate family members will be denied entry into the country. 

The former head of the presidential guards has been included on a list of those alleged to have been involved in the gross violations of human rights. Sanyatwe has come under scrutiny for his role in the opening of fire on protestors following the 2018 election.

According to a statement from the US State Department, “The Department has credible information that Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe was involved in the violent crackdown against unarmed Zimbabweans during post-election protests on August 1, 2018 that resulted in six civilian deaths.” 

During an investigation into the killings Sanyatwe claimed that the opposition were responsible for the deaths. However, the commission, which was led by former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe, found that the use of live ammunition by soldiers was “unjustified and disproportionate.” No soldiers or security personnel have been held to account as of yet.

The State Department release continues, “To date, the Government of Zimbabwe has held no member of the security forces accountable for the acts of violence committed against Zimbabweans on August 1, 2018.  Furthermore, there has been no accountability for the excessive use of force by Zimbabwean security forces on civilians in January and February this year, which reportedly resulted in at least 13 deaths, 600 victims of violence, torture or rape, and more than 1,000 arrests.  We again call on Zimbabwean authorities to hold accountable those officials responsible for human rights violations and abuses in Zimbabwe.”