Cephas Msipa fails to access UK money

GWERU – Former Zanu PF Midlands Governor Dr Cephas Msipa claims he has for the second time this year failed to access money sent to him from the UK because of targeted sanctions placed by western countries on members of the Mugabe regime. 

Although 20 officials including Msipa were removed from the sanctions by the European Union early this year, Msipa claims he was made to wait for hours on end to be cleared for him to access the cash. The money was sent to him by a family friend following the death of his younger brother Thomas Msipa.

“It appears the imperialists are quick to place our names under sanctions but slow to remove them. I arrived at the Western Union offices at OK Supermarket in Bulawayo in the morning (Friday). The officials were courteous and they told me to sit down while they processed my transaction. They said it won’t take long but I ended up spending hours.

“I spent the greater part of Friday waiting to be cleared at the Western Union offices. The staff apologised as they told me that they had to clear my name with their bosses in the UK. Their bosses were saying my name was still on the sanctions list.”

Msipa said the Western Union officials phoned him yesterday telling him that his money had since been returned to the sender in the UK. He said they told him that his name was still on the sanctions list and they had to return the money.

“They told me that as far as they are concerned, I am still on the sanctions list. Everyone knows this is not true. I was cleared early this year. Our people should know that the sanctions are evil and a nuisance. They should go because they are retrogressive,” said Msipa.

The United States, European Union and Australia slapped targeted sanctions on members of the Mugabe regime in response to gross human rights abuses. The sanctions targeted individuals and companies seen as key in propping up the regime. Any removal of the sanctions is linked to progress made towards reform.