By Patience Rashai

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has castigated the continuous imposition of illegal sanctions on the country saying it had dire consequences on the country’s development.

Speaking at the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Day for Solidarity against Sanctions at the National Sports Stadium in Harare this Friday, the President said sanctions had direct and indirect devastating effects on the general populace and today was the day we stand united and call for their removal.

“Sanctions have perpetuated a cycle of poverty in our country…no amount of propaganda can spin or sugarcoat this gruesome truth, today is the day we say enough is enough, sanctions must go.”

He then gave a narration on sectors which have been impaired by sanctions.

“We know very well that sanctions are neither smart nor targeted…many of our people have over the years lost loved ones in hospitals due to the impact of sanctions on our health services.

“Our exporters are denied entry into some markets, State owned companies and their subsidiary companies in the fertilizer industry had their accounts frozen, another State owned company responsible for marketing the company’s minerals lost revenue in similar circumstances, the list is endless,” he said.

He added that it was obvious that sanctions were in response to the land redistribution programme, however for the avoidance of doubt that programme was not reversible.

“We will not betray the sons and daughters who fought for the same land from the colonisers,” he said. “As the people of Zimbabwe we cannot continue to have our fundamental human rights and dignity trampled upon.”

The President urged foreign envoys to carry the message of goodwill to their capitals and thanked SADC, AU ambassadors and others from progressive nations for standing with the country.

 “Thank you SADC for standing by us and for speaking with one voice at the just ended 74th session of the United Nations.”

“Let it be known that we are united in purpose. Our friends and neighbours equally join our cause today. As a nation and as a people we say thank you to SADC for standing by us…we also say thank you to the African Union and progressive world for supporting us during these difficult years in our nation,”

Reiterating the president’s call, chiefs and traditional leaders in Zimbabwe said they were also standing together with the rest of Zimbabwe in the fight against sanctions.

 “As chiefs, we are standing with the people of Zimbabwe in this fight against sanctions, they must go,” said president of the Chief’s Council, Fortune Charumbira.

Reading a statement from Pan African Parliament, he added that as traditional leaders, they will not fold their arms and watch their subjects suffering as a result of sanctions. He said they would continue to denounce sanctions until they are removed.

Beckoning on the same message, Mozambican ambassador also denounced sanctions on behalf of SADC ambassadors saying that sanctions had hampered Government of Zimbabwe in implementing its development agenda.