Former Zimbabwean Cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere has issued a challenge to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to address his human rights and corruption record openly and diplomatically. This challenge comes in response to the recent imposition of sanctions on Mnangagwa and his inner circle by the United States under the Global Magnitsky Act, citing human rights abuses and corruption as the basis for their actions.
In a recent interview with South African media, Kasukuwere criticized the Zimbabwean government’s response to the allegations, urging them to handle the situation with more diplomacy. He called on Mnangagwa to provide evidence to refute the accusations against him, particularly in relation to corruption. Kasukuwere emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing these serious allegations.
The sanctions imposed on Mnangagwa come in the wake of an Al Jazeera investigative documentary that implicated politically-connected individuals in the smuggling of precious minerals. The lifting of sanctions could potentially provide some relief to Zimbabwe’s struggling economy by enabling access to much-needed lines of credit from financial institutions.
Kasukuwere also highlighted the issue of selective prosecution in Zimbabwe, pointing out that the government’s crackdown on corruption appears to target individuals based on political affiliations rather than actual wrongdoing. He expressed disappointment in the lack of progress in holding corrupt individuals accountable, citing examples of high-profile cases where individuals implicated in corruption have not faced consequences.
Overall, Kasukuwere’s challenge to Mnangagwa underscores the importance of addressing human rights abuses and corruption in Zimbabwe through transparent and accountable governance. The international community will be closely watching how the Zimbabwean government responds to these allegations and whether meaningful steps are taken to address these pressing issues.
