The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated the son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Sakunda Holdings founder Kudakwashe Tagwirei’s wife Sandra Mpunga and two to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List).
In a statement, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Office of Public Affairs) said the Zimbabwe sanctions program targets human rights abusers and those who undermine democratic processes or facilitate corruption.
“We urge the Zimbabwean government to take meaningful steps towards creating a peaceful, prosperous, and politically vibrant Zimbabwe, and to address the root causes of many of Zimbabwe’s ills: corrupt elites and their abuse of the country’s institutions for their personal benefit,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury Brian E. Nelson.
He added “The goal of sanctions is behavior change. Today’s actions demonstrate our support for a transparent and prosperous Zimbabwe.”
OFAC also designated Nqobile Magwizi, Fossil Agro, Fossil Contracting, and Obey Chimuka, for their ties to the previously designated individual Kudakwashe Tagwirei and his company, Sakunda Holdings.
OFAC designated Tagwirei in August 2020 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, logistical, or technical support for, or goods or services in support of, the Government of Zimbabwe; and Sakunda for being owned or controlled by Tagwirei.
Tagwirei is accused of allegedly utilizing his relationships with high-level Zimbabwean officials to gain state contracts and receive favored access to hard currency, including U.S. dollars.
In turn, Tagwirei has provided high priced items, such as expensive cars, to senior-level Zimbabwean government officials.
Magwizi has served as the chief marketing and public relations officer of Sakunda as well as Mpunga’s executive assistant.
Chimuka owns Fossil Contracting and is also its director and is the CEO and director of Fossil Agro. Chimuka is a longtime business partner of Tagwirei and is considered part of Tagwirei’s inner circle. Chimuka also sits on the board and serves as director of several of Tagwirei’s companies.
