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Takunda Maodza Manicaland Bureau Chief
THE Zanu-PF Manicaland Provincial Coordinating Committee has advocated the promulgation of a law that punishes Zimbabweans who campaign for the continuation of illegal economic sanctions on their motherland.

Zimbabwe was slapped with illegal economic sanctions by the US and EU nearly two decades ago after it embarked on the land reform programme that sought to address land ownership imbalances.

The illegal sanctions have suffocated the economy as Zimbabwe cannot access lines of credit from global financial institutions.

It can also not freely trade in its minerals.

In an interview yesterday, Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairman Cde Mike Madiro confirmed the proposal by the PCC during its meeting on Sunday.

“One issue that was unanimously agreed on by the PCC was the urgent need for a law criminalising Zimbabwean citizens who go out of the country campaigning for the continuation of sanctions against Zimbabwe,” said Cde Madiro.

He said other countries, the US included, had such laws.

“The US has the Logan Law (Act) which is for that purpose,” said Cde Madiro.

“Anyone who goes against American national interests is punished. Such a law is necessary to ensure that we do not allow people to commit treasonous actions without any punishment.

“That is one of the key resolutions that the PCC made.”

The Logan Act was enacted on January 30, 1799 and is a US federal law that criminalises negotiation by an unauthorised person with foreign governments having dispute with the US.

Since its enactment, only two people have been indicted for violating the Act and none was convicted.

Cde Madiro said the Manicaland PCC discussed the anti-sanctions march scheduled for this Friday.

“The PCC discussed the need to mobilise all stakeholders to ensure the 25th anti-sanctions day is a success,” he said.

“People of Manicaland in their diversity want sanctions to go like yesterday.”

Cde Madiro said the PCC adopted the decentralised approach of the event which will see the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba taking charge of the anti-sanctions march at the provincial level and District Administrators at district level.

“All Zimbabweans, including churches and business people, will get an opportunity to participate and show their dislike of the illegal sanctions,” said Cde Madiro.

The PCC, he said, discussed preparations for the Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference which would be hosted by Mashonaland East Province.

“You are aware that we have the main wing, Women’s League and the Youth League, each district would be sending one delegate and this is done on rotational basis,” said Cde Madiro.

“The PCC was also getting information in terms of transport, food and accommodation arrangements for those who will attend the conference.

“As a province, we are working earnestly in terms of raising our contribution to the annual people’s conference.”