In a statement, the EU says the reasons for the ban from travelling to Europe no longer exits.
The six are Information Minister Webster Shamu,Tourism and hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi,Minister of state in the Vice President Joyce Mujuru’s office,Silverster Nguni, Environment Minister Francis Nhema, Small to Medium Enterprises Minister Simbiso Nyoni,and Hebert Murerwa who is the Lands and Rural Development Minister.
Justice Minister Parick Chinamasa and Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi had their travel bans lifted last year for what EU said was to facilitate Zim-EU re-engagement process.
“Reasons why these people were placed on these travel bans no longer exists hence their suspension from these measure, but I want to emphasis that the same Ministers have not been delisted from sanctions. It is only the lifting of their movement in the EU territory that has been suspended,” Head of the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe Ambassador Aldo Dell’Ariccia told reporters in Harare Monday.
The number o f ZANU (PF) senior officials whose travel bans have been suspended to date is now at 21. The travel restrictions were imposed in 2002 following electoral irregularities and violence.
“A peaceful referendum followed by a credible election will attract an immediate suspension of these measures,” Aldo Dell’Ariccia added.
The western bloc also commended the setting up of a referendum date by the inclusive government last week, saying it’s a move towards democracy.
The government last week set 16 March as the day for the holding of a referendum.
The EU however did not suspend the measures against the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation which is in charge of selling the country's Diamonds as was expected.
“I do not have finer details to explain why ZMDC has not been delisted, but I insist that for those who have been delisted and their travel bans suspended, the reasons under which they were placed on sanctions are no longer there,” Aldo Dell'Ariccia said.
Post published in: News