The United States government has added a senior Zimbabwean police officer to the list of individuals prohibited from doing business with American companies or opening bank accounts in the country.
In a notice published on Friday, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said Stephen Mutamba has been added to the OFAC’s list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs).
Mutamba is currently the Zimbabwe Republic Police deputy commissioner-general responsible for administration.
OFAC accused Mutamba of alleged human rights abuses in Zimbabwe over the past few years.
“Over the past two years, Mutamba has taken actions that threaten and undermine legitimate political parties who oppose the policies of the ruling ZANU PF party,” OFAC said.
The alleged abuses include Mutamba’s involvement in the use pressure and intimidation on prominent opposition figures by Zimbabwe security services in 2020.
“Also in 2020, Mutamba supported the uneven enforcement of a Covid-related curfew, encouraging security forces to limit opposition activities and did not allow for foreign national officials located in Zimbabwe to meet with Zimbabwean opposition parties or civil society groups,” OFAC said.
It added: “In 2021, Mutamba advocated that vote tallies not be displayed outside polling locations and that international observers should not be allowed to monitor the 2023 elections.”
OFAC also removed 11 other Zimbabweans from the SDN list, the majority of them deceased ZANU PF members.
These are Simon Khaya Moyo, Perence Shiri, Joel Biggie Matiza, Morris Sakabuya, Absolom Sikosana, Paradzai Zimondi, Kenneth Manyonda, Olivia Muchena, Selina Pote, Edwin Muguti and Tendai Savanhu.
The US imposed “targeted sanctions” on more than 100 Zimbabwean officials and entities in 2002 for their alleged role in aiding human rights abuses by the ZANU PF-led government.
JN/APA