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Legalbrief   |   your legal news hub Saturday 27 April 2024

UK sanctions for top Mnangagwa aide

A year after the US imposed targeted sanctions against Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s wealthy adviser, the UK has followed suit. An asset freeze and imposed sanctions have been effected against Kudakwashe Tagwirei which prevent him from travelling to the UK. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab named Tagwirei as one of five individuals involved in serious corruption in Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe, Venezuela and Iraq. A TimesLIVE report notes that the Foreign Office said it had targeted Tagwirei for his alleged role in the devaluation of the Zimbabwe dollar, resulting in the majority of Zimbabweans failing to access basic commodities such as food at affordable prices. It accused him of profiting from the misappropriation of property when his company, Sakunda Holdings, redeemed Government of Zimbabwe treasury bills at up to 10 times their official value. ‘His actions accelerated the devaluation of Zimbabwe’s currency, increasing the price of essentials, such as food, for Zimbabwean citizens,’ read the statement. The embargo comes into effect days after a close confidante of Tagwirei, Deputy Minister Tinotenda Machakaire, was linked to the purchase of a brand new Rolls-Royce Phantom from a leading UK supplier of luxury vehicles.