The United Kingdom has imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on one of Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s advisors for alleged corruption.
UK Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the wealthy Kudakwashe Tagwirei was at the centre of a controversial government agriculture subsidy where he is alleged to have siphoned over $3 billion from the State through Treasury Bills.
The sanctions will also apply to any entities that the businessman owns or controls.
“Tagwirei profited significantly from the misappropriation of property at the expense of wider macroeconomic stability in Zimbabwe, in one of the most serious incidences of corruption under the current government,” Raab said.
“His company, Sakunda Holdings, redeemed government of Zimbabwe Treasury Bills at up to 10 times their official value.
“His actions accelerated the deflation of Zimbabwe’s currency, increasing the price of essentials such as food, for Zimbabwean citizens.”
Melanie Robinson, the British ambassador to Zimbabwe, said corruption was harmful to ordinary people.
“Corruption harms ordinary people, which is why the UK imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on Kudakwashe Tagwirei,” Ambassador Robinson said.
“I look forward to seeing the Zimbabwean government put its commitment to fight corruption into action.”
Tagwirei was one of five people targeted in the UK sanctions under the Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime.
Others that were targeted are Equatorial Guinea Vice President Teodoro Obiang Mangue, Venezuela businessmen Nain Saab Moran and Alvaro Enrique Pulido Vargas and an Iraq governor Nawfal Hammadi Al-Sultan.
