By Violet Mashonga
Harare – The Executive Director of Citizens Against Economic Sanctions (CAES), Martin Zharare, has issued a passionate appeal to patriotic Zimbabwean business leaders to support the organization’s efforts in mobilizing nationwide action against Western-imposed sanctions.
In a call for solidarity, Zharare appealed to prominent figures such as Sir Wicknell Chivayo, Dr. Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Cde Manengureni, Hon. Scott Sakupwanya, Dr. Paul Tgwarara (Presidential Advisor), and others.
He requested logistical support—specifically, a vehicle to enhance mobility across all 10 provinces—to empower CAES in its nationwide campaign under the theme: “4th Chimurenga: Sanctions Must Go.”
“Sanctions must go,” declared Zharare, speaking at a press briefing in Harare attended by CAES members from both district and national levels.
“For Zimbabwe to be truly free, we must stand united in fulfilling the President’s vision of a prosperous, self-sufficient nation.”
Zharare proudly announced that CAES has now been officially registered as a Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) under the PVO Act Chapter 17:05, marking the culmination of a rigorous, multi-year registration process.
“This milestone reflects the government’s commitment to empowering citizens,” he said, extending gratitude to President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa for his unwavering support during the registration process.
As a newly registered PVO, CAES aims to scale up its efforts in advocacy, empowerment, and development—particularly for Zimbabweans impacted by the illegal sanctions imposed under the ZIDERA Act of 2000.
“It’s time to come together and fight these sanctions through unity and productivity—in agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. Zimbabwe has the resources to succeed,” said Zharare.
CAES is already implementing tangible development projects. In partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Fisheries, Water, Agriculture and Rural Development (MLFWARD) and ZINWA, the organization is rolling out massive water provision projects.
Under the Drought Mitigation Program, 67 boreholes have been drilled in Matabeleland North, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, and Masvingo, aligned with the President’s vision of transforming Zimbabwe into the “breadbasket of the region.”
Zharare also noted CAES’s growing collaboration in the health and education sectors—providing healthcare access and ensuring every child receives quality education.
Looking ahead, CAES is actively preparing for SADC Anti-Sanctions Day on October 25th, with coordinated commemorations planned across all ten provinces. Zharare emphasized the organization’s goal of raising awareness and mobilizing citizens to take ownership of the anti-sanctions movement.
“We’ve been collecting signatures since last year when the President launched the Anti-Sanctions Petition in Bulawayo. Our aim is to gather one million signatures to present to UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN General Assembly in New York—a clear message from Zimbabweans demanding an end to these punitive measures.”
In his concluding remarks, Zharare invoked the spirit of the liberation struggle, urging Zimbabweans to unite in building a prosperous, sovereign nation.
“Let’s come together to end sanctions. Zimbabwe is free—let’s build it. Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, igonamatirwa nevene vayo.”
He also called on South Africans to stand firm in support of the ANC, drawing parallels between the challenges faced by the two nations.
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