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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]

SCORES of people have gathered in Esigodini for the Matabeleland South Provincial anti sanctions event.

The event has started off with a march from Habane Township which will end at Esigodini Business Centre. Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu will address the crowd. In attendance are members of the community, heads of Government departments, school children, political leaders, religious groups among others.

The march is an emphatic statement for the unconditional removal of illegal sanctions imposed on the country as they continue to hamper the country’s development.

Zimbabwe has been under illegal economic sanctions as punishment for the land reform programme meant to address colonial land iniquities.

As a result, the country’s business community has lost billions in potential revenue due to the negative effects of the illegal sanctions with conservative estimates putting the cost at US$40 billion in the last two decades. Across Zimbabwe, countless innocent lives bear the brunt of these restrictive measures, their hopes and aspirations stymied by decisions made in distant capitals.

Dr Evelyn Ndlovu (in green dress) interacts with the crowd during the march

The main effect of the sanctions is to deny Zimbabwe access to global finance sources and make it difficult to access even normal commercial banking, thus investors have had to dip deep in their pockets to do business in the country.

Illegal sanctions have brought detrimental effects on the country’s business environment and have been the key driver of the economic malaise. Today Zimbabwe joins the rest of the Southern African region, Africa and the progressive world in marking the SADC declared Anti-Sanctions Day, which is on October 25 each year.

The day serves to remind the world of the injustices committed against the Zimbabwean people. The commemoration is also used to stir the conscience of those guilty of imposing those unjust sanctions against Zimbabweans. The day is also used to mobilise African and world opinion against illegal sanctions.

@DubeMatutu