UNIVERSITY of Zimbabwe (UZ) academics linked to the ruling party Zanu PF party have been named on a government panel which will research the impact of sanctions imposed by western countries.
The research, according to the Higher and Education Minister Prof Jonathan Moyo, is fully funded by the government to the tune of $150,000.
The 13-member team is led by Dr Albert Makochekanwa, and includes the likes of Prof Charity Manyeruke, Prof Charles Nherera and other academics from social sciences, law and pure sciences.
Other members of the panel were drawn from countries such as South Africa and Sweden.
Addressing members of the panel Wednesday at his offices in Harare Prof Moyo said the research will be carried out for a year.
“This is the winning consortium, and the outcome of the impact of the sanctions will be published in several international peer reviewed journals and will be used to influence policy formulation in the country,” he said.
He went on to say there could be no question that the sanctions imposed from 2001 have had a negative effect on the economy but added that the research would show the real extent of the impact on all sectors.
“There can be no question that the sanctions affected the economy because even those who imposed them intended them to have an effect.
“It is the question of extent that we are looking into.”
