The General Court, which is among European Union’s (EU) top courts, has maintained the EU’s economic sanctions against Zimbabwe. The court said sanctions against the Southern African country were unbiased because they were directed at people and firms that were allied to the country’s government.

It is believed that only President Robert Mugabe, his wife Grace Mugabe and one unidentified defence firm continue to be subjected to the asset freeze and travel prohibitions. Sanctions against Zimbabwe were inflicted almost 13 years ago following the country’s upsurge in political fighting before the 2002 presidential elections. At some point, there were over 100 people and firms on the EU’s blacklist.

Johannes Tomana, Zimbabwe’s Attorney-General, lodged the dispute against sanctions on Zimbabwe and many other top-level officials almost four years ago. But EU officials remain concerned about rule of law in Zimbabwe. The US has maintained a far broader list of restrictions on Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s former minister, Didymus Mutasa, who was speaking on the humiliating civil servants bonus saga, disclosed this week that President Mugabe was intolerant of the multiplicity of thought. He accused Mugabe of making all government resolutions and does not consult anyone including his ministers.