US sanctions Zimbabwe official

A general view of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington February 28, 2013. Positions hardened on Wednesday between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican congressional leaders over the budget crisis even as they arranged to hold last-ditch talks to prevent harsh automatic spending cuts beginning this week. Looking resigned to the $85 billion in "sequestration" cuts starting on Friday, government agencies began reducing costs and spelling out to employees how furloughs will work. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)

A general view of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington February 28, 2013. Positions hardened on Wednesday between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican congressional leaders over the budget crisis even as they arranged to hold last-ditch talks to prevent harsh automatic spending cuts beginning this week. Looking resigned to the $85 billion in "sequestration" cuts starting on Friday, government agencies began reducing costs and spelling out to employees how furloughs will work. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)

Published Apr 17, 2014

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Washington - The US Treasury Department is sanctioning a government official and others in Zimbabwe for allegedly undermining democracy in the southern African nation.

The department announced Thursday that it has sanctioned Tobaiwa Mudede, a well-known and prominent supporter of President Robert Mugabe. As registrar-general, Mudede controls the roll of voters that is widely alleged to be used by Mugabe's ruling party to rig elections.

The department says Mudede oversaw critical elements of Zimbabwe's flawed July 2013 presidential and parliamentary elections.

An Angolan businessman, an attorney from Singapore and a business based in Zimbabwe also were sanctioned for allegedly undercutting democracy or facilitating public corruption.

The sanctions freeze assets they hold within US jurisdiction and prohibit US citizens from doing business with them.

Sapa-AP

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