By HRH Princess Eugene Majuru, Princess of Harare
London, UK (News of The South) – In a significant move signaling a potential shift in its Zimbabwe policy, the United Kingdom today announced the delisting of sanctions against four Zimbabwean individuals and one entity, the Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI). The individuals removed from the sanctions list are Owen Ncube, Isaac Moyo, Godwin Matanga, and Anselem Sanyatwe.
These individuals were previously sanctioned by the UK for their alleged roles in human rights abuses and undermining democratic processes in Zimbabwe.
Owen Ncube was sanctioned in relation to his alleged involvement in ordering an internet shutdown during the January 2019 protests against fuel price hikes, a period marked by a crackdown by security forces on demonstrators.
Isaac Moyo, who served as the Director-General of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) from December 2017 to January 2025, was sanctioned in February 2021 due to alleged human rights violations connected to state crackdowns on protests.
Godwin Matanga held the position of Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) from December 2017 to December 2024. A veteran of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, his role in the post-independence security establishment was under scrutiny.
Anselem Sanyatwe, currently the Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, previously served as the Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army between October 2023 and March 2025. He was sanctioned for his alleged responsibility for serious human rights violations by military personnel during the crackdown on post-election protests on August 1, 2018, which resulted in the deaths of several unarmed civilians.
The removal of sanctions on these individuals and the ZDI follows a similar decision by the European Union in February 2025, where they delisted ZDI while renewing their broader Zimbabwe sanctions framework. The United States also removed several designations in March 2024.
The UK government’s statement announcing the delisting did not explicitly detail the reasons behind this move. However, such decisions are often influenced by a combination of factors, including evolving political landscapes, diplomatic considerations, and assessments of the impact and effectiveness of the sanctions themselves.
What does this mean for Zimbabwe and the UK?
For Zimbabwe, the removal of sanctions on these specific individuals and a key entity like the ZDI could be interpreted in several ways:
Potential for improved relations: This move might signal a willingness on the part of the UK to re-engage with certain elements within the Zimbabwean government and security apparatus.
Economic implications: The delisting of ZDI, a significant player in Zimbabwe’s defense industry, could open up avenues for international business and investment for the entity, potentially boosting the country’s economy.
Symbolic significance: While targeted, sanctions are often viewed by the sanctioned country as a whole as a form of international condemnation. Lifting some sanctions could be seen as a positive step towards normalizing relations.
For the UK, this decision could reflect a recalibration of its foreign policy towards Zimbabwe:
Shifting focus: It’s possible the UK is adopting a more nuanced approach, focusing its remaining sanctions on other individuals or entities it deems responsible for ongoing issues.
Alignment with allies: The move aligns with recent actions by the EU and the US, suggesting a degree of coordinated international policy on Zimbabwe.
Pragmatic considerations: The UK might be acknowledging the limitations of the previous sanctions regime in achieving its desired outcomes and is exploring alternative strategies for engagement.
What has brought about this move?
While the UK government has not explicitly stated the reasons, several factors could have contributed to this decision:
Changes in personnel: Some of the individuals sanctioned have moved on from the specific roles they held during the alleged abuses. For instance, Godwin Matanga is no longer the Commissioner-General of the police.
Regional dynamics: Pressure from regional bodies or neighboring countries advocating for a softening of international sanctions on Zimbabwe could have played a role.
Assessment of impact: The UK government may have conducted a review of its sanctions regime and concluded that these particular sanctions were no longer the most effective way to achieve its policy goals.
The similar moves by the EU and the US suggest a wider re-evaluation of international sanctions policy towards Zimbabwe. It remains to be seen what long-term impact this delisting will have on the relationship between the UK and Zimbabwe and on the broader political and economic landscape of Zimbabwe. However, this move undoubtedly marks a notable development in the ongoing saga of international sanctions against the Southern African nation.
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