U.S Removes Targeted Sanctions Imposed on People Linked to Zanu PFThe United States has removed targeted sanctions imposed on at least nine people once linked to President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party, several banks and fertilizer manufacturing companies operating in Zimbabwe. In a statement with an updated list of specially designated nationals, the U.S Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control delisted President Mugabe’s late sister, Sabina Mugabe; the late Vice President John Nkomo’s wife, Georgina Ngwenya; Rudo Grace Charamba, the wife of Mr. Mugabe’s wordsmith George Charamba; former Midlands governor Cephas Msipa and former Education Minister Aeneas Chigwedere. Others are Abina Chapfika, who was once married to former deputy Finance Minister David Chapfika and the late former cabinet secretary Charles Utete. Banks that have been dropped from the sanctions list include ZB Financial Holdings Limited, ZB Bank, Zimbabwe Banking Corporation, Scotfin Limited and Intermarket Holdings Limited. The three delisted fertilizer companies are Chemplex Corporation, Zimbabwe Fertilizer Company and ZFC Limited. President Mugabe’s nephew, Leo Mugabe, has been added to the list together with Murilo Salazar and Claudia Julieta of Colombia and Mexico respectively linked to a company identified as Munsa International Investments said to be working closely with another firm, Avical S.A. The United States and its allies imposed targeted sanctions on President Mugabe, his inner circle and companies linked to the ruling party following claims of election rigging and violation of people’s rights in the southern African nation.