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George Maponga Masvingo Bureau
A Masvingo-based non-governmental organisation, the Vulnerable Youth Support Network Trust, has added its voice to growing calls for the West to unconditionally lift illegal sanctions against Zimbabwe, saying they are hurting the ordinary people more, particularly young people.

The trust’s founder and businessman Mr Isaac Makomichi said the decision by the West, especially the US to maintain the economic embargo was destroying the livelihoods and the future of tens of thousands of young people across the country.

The development comes as the majority of Zimbabweans and various other local organisations, including the liberation war veterans association have of late reacted angrily to the sanctions which have wrought severe economic damage on the country for close to 20 years.

Mr Makomichi, who is a business mogul with interests in motor vehicle oils and related accessories, said his organisation was disturbed by the level of suffering amongst today’s youths, particularly those in rural areas because of economic hardships visited by illegal sanctions.

“We want to demystify the common believed impression that illegal sanctions are targeted, the truth of the matter is the sanctions are wreaking havoc in the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans particularly the youths some of whom have become lost generations owing to lack of economic opportunities because of sanctions,’’ he said.

“The situation is dire in rural areas where we operate , some youths are dropping out of schools owing to economic hardships while others are turning to drugs and other illicit activities common among youths because their windows of opportunity remain closed thanks to sanctions.”

Mr Makomichi called on the West to re-consider its decision to maintain an economic blockade on Zimbabwe if they have the interests of ordinary Zimbabweans at heart.

“It is almost 20 years since the sanctions were imposed and the biggest losers have been Zimbabweans youths more so those with disabilities,” he said.

“The scope to assist them to realise their dreams is now very limited because of sanctions and this is unacceptable as lives of young people are being ruined for an unknown cause.”

Mr Makomichi backed calls to stage nationwide demonstrations against the sanctions, saying youths were concerned about the future, with the West seemingly unwilling to reward reform being implimented by Harare.

Some Zimbabweans have petitioned the West remove the sanctions and war veterans recently announced plans to march to the US embassy in Harare to press for their removal.