ZIMBABWE — Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor recently felt the effects of sanctions imposed on him by the European Union when his consignment of flowers destined for France and the Netherlands was returned, ZimDaily has established.

 

Gono, who had used some fronts in order to evade the sanctions imposed the EU on Robert Mugabe and his cronies including the RBZ Governor, lost about US200 000 when the flowers were barred from entering both France and the Netherlands and returned to Zimbabwe.

 

 

ZimDaily obtained information leaked from some of the handlers of Gono’s business deals, who had tried to smuggle the flowers into Europe under the guise of using different people to claim their ownership.

 

However, just like with several other Mugabe cronies who were included on the EU and US sanctions, it was possible to succeed this time in using fronts as a way of avoiding the sanctions.

 

EU, ZimDaily has heard has put in place a very effective system that is busting the undercover tactics Mugabe and his cronies have used in the past to stash funds as well as do business there using fronts.

 

“Gono’s flowers were rejected on the grounds that he is on the sanctions list although he had used fronts to pretend as the owners,” a source privy to the goings-on said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Unknown to him, it was established even before the consignment left Zimbabwe that it belonged to him and they were ready over there, waiting to order them back.”

 

An official from the French embassy in Harare told ZimDaily on condition of anonymity that his country, which had been a major market of flowers from Zimbabwe over the past, has included on its targeted sanctions the barring of flowers belonging to Mugabe’s people.

Efforts to obtain comment from Gono failed. Another Mugabe crony, Jocelyn Chiwenga, wife of Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander Constatine Chiwenga, has also been hit where it hurts most after several EU countries have imposed a ban on her company, Zimsafe’s purchases of goods there.

 

Zimsafe has been importing inputs for the manufacture of protective clothing and materials from EU countries but since the inclusion of Chiwenga on the sanctions list, it is being barred from buying there, severely affecting its operations.

 

Even attempts by Chiwenga to use fronts have reportedly been frustrated. When contacted for comment, Chiwenga lashed out, “Leave me alone,” she said before cutting off the phone.

 

Got a story, opinion or want your letter published, please e-mail Editor at editor@zimdaily.com