Grace Mugabe derails EU sanctions removal

The European Union's decision to retain the travel embargo on President Robert Mugabe and First Lady Grace Mugabe soon after extending a $270 million aid package to Zimbabwe for the first time since 2002 stemmed from Grace's recent land grabs at Manzou Farm in Mazowe.

According to diplomatic sources in Harare, Western countries that have accused Mugabe's government of human rights deficit have reportedly been perturbed by the First Lady's ejection of villagers in Manzou to pave way for a wildlife sanctuary.

The restrictive measures which include a travel ban and asset freeze on the First Family and the Zimbabwe Industries were last Friday extended to February 2016.

The diplomats however said the recent extension of aid worth $270 million to Zimbabwe demonstrated the West's commitment to end the standoff with Harare.