By Christopher Makaza

MDC-T Vice President, Senator Obert Gutu has added his voice on the fight against illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West saying it is the neo-imperialist and neo-colonialist agenda of making Zimbabwe's economy scream.

Posting on his twitter page, Gutu said the deliberate call for sanctions by some anti-government and opposition elements should be criminalised.

“Yes, I'm MDC-T to the bone marrow but I support the immediate and unconditional lifting of all forms of sanctions against Zimbabwe. It is what it is. My patriotism doesn't allow me to agree with the neo-imperialist and neo-colonialist agenda of making Zimbabwe's economy scream.

“Time has now come to criminalize the deliberate calling of sanctions against Zimbabwe. A law should promptly be passed to make it a criminal offence for any Zimbabwean to deliberately and purposefully call for the imposition of sanctions against his or her own country,” he said.

Gutu also said sanctions were imposed against Zimbabwe as punishment for the land reform program.

“That's the real reason why sanctions are still in place. Any other explanation is bull dust. The land issue is at the epicentre of sanctions. Everything else is mere optics and cosmetic. Their narrative is that sanctions against Zimbabwe are justified because of alleged human rights abuses.

“This is absolute nonsense, pure, unadulterated hogwash. There are more human rights abuses against people in Saudi Arabia but have sanctions been imposed against Saudi Arabia?” he questioned.

Sanctions are hurting innocent Zimbabweans especially the poor, the sick, women and children.

Government has declared 25 October 2019, the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, a public holiday to give all Zimbabweans an opportunity to participate in programmes lined up for the day.

Meanwhile, provinces across the country have intensified preparations for the anti-sanctions campaign which will also be concurrently held at district level.