EU suspends sanctions against 81 Zim officials

The European Union has suspended sanctions against 81 officials and eight firms in Zimbabwe, BBC reports.

The decision followed a "peaceful, successful and credible" referendum on a new constitution earlier this month, the EU said in a statement.

However, sanctions will remain in force against 10 people - including Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe - and two firms, EU sources say.

New Sanctions List:

Robert Mugabe,
Grace Mugabe,
Happyton Bonyongwe, DG of CIO
Augustine Chihuri, Commissioner-General of the Police
Constantine Chiwenga, Commander of Defence Forces
Didymus Mutasa, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs,
Douglas Nyikayaramba, Brigadier General
Perence Shiri, Air Marshal
Philip Sibanda, Commander, National Army
Jabulani Sibanda, Chairman of Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association

Meanwhile, Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Rugare Gumbo says the suspension of the 81 officials and eight firms is a non event.

Gumbo said his party calls for the total and unconditional removal of sanctions.