Staff Reporter
Zimbabweans have reacted angrily to the United States Embassy in Harare's recent assertion that sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe only target three companies and 11 individuals, insisting that the illegal sanctions are far-reaching and hurt ordinary citizens.
The US statement has ignited widespread outrage, with many Zimbabweans accusing the superpower of dishonesty and malevolence, pointing to the seizure of fire trucks destined for Zimbabwe in Lithuania as evidence that the sanctions are affecting the entire country.
Prominent economist Kudzai Mtisi lambasted the United States, calling the sanctions "cruel and debilitating."
He added, "It’s really a shame, overwhelmingly shameful, that the United States, a superpower, the world’s richest country, finds it appropriate to impose cruel and debilitating sanctions on a small African country like Zimbabwe."
Mtisi further expressed frustration, highlighting the impact on ordinary citizens.
"It’s sad we have some mentally crippled Zimbabweans who cheer for these evil sanctions," he said, referring to those within Zimbabwe who support the US narrative.
Political commentator Tinashe Nyamukapa echoed similar sentiments, accusing the US of deceit.
"The claim that sanctions only target a handful of individuals and companies is not only misleading but also an insult to the suffering of millions of Zimbabweans who feel the pinch of these measures daily. The economic blockade has crippled industries, strained healthcare systems, and worsened unemployment. The US knows this, yet they continue to deny the truth," Nyamukapa asserted.
Netizens also joined the chorus of outrage, with Ruth Gwatidzo, a well-known social media commentator, labeling the US statement as “insensitive and cruel.”
Gwatidzo posted, "These sanctions are hurting everyone, not just a few elites. The fire trucks saga is just one example of how vital resources are being withheld from Zimbabwe because of these sanctions. It’s time the US admitted the damage they are doing to us," said Gwatidzo.
The strong reactions come ahead of the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, which Zimbabwe will host on Friday.
The day serves as a platform for Zimbabweans and progressive voices across the region to amplify their calls for the immediate removal of sanctions, which they argue are stifling economic growth and hurting ordinary Zimbabweans.
The government has urged all citizens to join the call for the removal of the sanctions, reinforcing the message that they were not just a political issue but a national crisis affecting every aspect of life in Zimbabwe.
