It has since surfaced that one of Robert Mugabe’s one time leading supporter is hiding inside Botswana, quietly working as a journalism lecturer at one of the colleges inside the country.
Ceasar Zvayi, who used to be the Political and Features Editor of the State-controlled Herald Newspaper is among the 37 supporters of Mugabe who were this week listed by the European Union for sanctions and travel ban.
Zvayi is described as a key and rabid supporter of Mugabe who masterminded ZANU-PF’s publicity campaigns.
Zvayi and Munyaradzi Huni become the first journalists to join Zimbabwe’s notorious elite sanctioned by the European Union from entering Europe.
Munyaradzi Huni works for Mugabe’s weekly Sunday Mail while Zvayi worked for the government daily, the Herald.
The individuals added to the visa ban hail largely from the military and business sectors. They also include Gideon Gono, the governor of the Central Bank, Joyce Kazembe, the vice-president of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, and Peter Chingoka, the head of the country’s cricket federation, who is accused of supporting the terror campaign during the elections.
Announcing the measures in protest against June’s widely condemned presidential election run-off, Bernard Kouchner, the French Foreign Minister, said: “It is impossible to accept the result of the second elections when basic democratic rules are being violated. Sanctions have an effect. They are not just for fun.”
The decision to add new names to the 130 already on the sanctions list was taken despite the signing on Monday of a deal between Mr Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC leader, on a framework for talks.
The EU’s decision, which was implemented immediately, has extended the sanctions to four Harare-based companies, which included Zidco Holdings and Jongwe Printing and Publishing Company (PVT) Ltd, which is a ZANU-PF party-owned entity that carries out printing and publishing for the ruling Zanu (PF). Also on the list is Cold Comfort Farm Trust Co-operative, which is considered a front for investments outside Zimbabwe, and Zimbabwe Defence Industries.
Henceforth, Mugabe’s wife will now not be allowed to enter Europe.
