United States Imposes Restrictive Sanctions on Senior Police Commissioner Accusing Him of Human Rights AbusesWASHINGTON — The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated one Zimbabwean and removed 11 others from the Specially Designated Nationals List (SDN List) under the Zimbabwe sanctions program. According to the OFAC, the Zimbabwe sanctions program targets human rights abusers and those who undermine democratic processes or facilitate corruption. In a statement, OFAC said U.S. sanctions do not target the Zimbabwean people, the country or banking sector. “The 11 individuals being removed from the SDN list are either deceased or have been deemed to no longer undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes and institutions. Each year, the U.S. Government removes hundreds of individuals and entities from the SDN List. Each removal is based on a thorough review. “OFAC also designated Stephen Mutamba, the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Deputy Commissioner for Administration, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13469 for his role in undermining Zimbabwe’s democratic processes and institutions.” OFAC said over the past two years, Mutamba has taken actions that threaten and undermine legitimate political parties who oppose the policies of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party. In 2020, said OFAC, Mutamba supported Zimbabwe security services’ use of pressure and intimidation on prominent opposition figures. OFAC noted that 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. In 2021, said OFAC, Mutamba advocated that vote tallies not be displayed outside polling locations and that international observers should not be allowed to monitor the 2023 elections. “It is imperative that ZANU-PF allow full participation across the political spectrum in next year’s elections,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “The United States continues to stand with the Zimbabwean people against unjust actions against political opponents or assaults on Zimbabwe’s democracy by the ZANU-PF.” SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS OFAC said as a result of Thursday’s designation, all property and interests in property of these persons located in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the relevant authorities. “In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more in the aggregate by one or more of such persons are also blocked. All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons are prohibited, unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or otherwise exempt. These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.” “The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from the ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also the willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.” Mutamba was unavailable for comment as he was not responding to calls on his mobile phone. The West imposed targeted sanctions on following claims of election rigging and human rights violations.