As part of a new wave of travel and financial sanctions against President Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe, the US will also expel at least five children of Zimbabwean government officials studying a US colleges and universities.
The sanctions will cover about 40 people and two companies, adding to the 130 people who have already been affected.
“Given Mugabe’s escalated use of violence, the United States will be imposing additional sanctions againstt the worst perpetrators of the regime’s brutality,” said Jendayi Frazer, assistant secretary of state for African Affairs.
Western governments have accused Mugabe of widespread human rights abuses and a violent crackdown on the opposition.
The US State Department has recorded about 6 000 cases of abuse and more than 90 of politically motivaed kidnappings and abductions this year. It also has cited 3 463 victims of torture and assault, with the victim reporting electric shocks as well as beatings with whips and cables.
“The United States also will impose travel sanctions today against 38 additional individuals, including nine security officials involved in human rights abuses and anti-democratic activities in recent months, ” Miss Frazer said.
“The affected individuals will include at least five adult children of Zimbabwe government officials implicated in similar activities, who are currently studying in the United States, ” she said in a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
A State Department official said later that those students’ US visas will be revoked and that they will be sent back to Zimbabwe, although the timing has not been determined.
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