Harare — Claims that there are no sanctions against Zimbabwe have been further discredited by the refusal by an American company to supply a student at Chinhoyi University of Technology with electrical solutions software because of "US trade sanctions".
The company, ETAP Enterprise Solutions, said they were barred by the United States government from trading with Zimbabwe and would only do so once the sanctions regime had been lifted.
The student requested the software through ETAP Enterprise Solutions' website where prospective customers can download the demonstration software.
However, the company declined to give her access when she filled in her home country as Zimbabwe.
The company responded in an e-mail that read: "Thank you for your interest in ETAP software. We have received your request for information.
"Currently, due to US trade sanctions against your country, we are unable to send our demo CD or sell our product in your country."
ETAP added that they were prepared to offer the product once the sanctions were lifted.
"When our government lifts these restrictions, we welcome the opportunity to speak with you further regarding your needs," read the response.
According to the website, ETAP Enterprise offers solutions to electrical utility companies through such products as the ETAP Smart Grid that can manage, control, visualise, optimise and automate power transmission and distribution networks.
They also provide fully-integrated software solutions, including arc flash, load flow, short circuit, transient stability, relay co-ordination and optimal power flow, among others, which can all be customised to fit the needs of a company of any size.
The student intended to use the demo software in a project she is undertaking with a Zesa Holdings subsidiary as part of her industrial internship.
This is the second time an institution of higher learning has felt the full brunt of the illegal sanctions.
In 2006, Africa University in Mutare revealed that they had failed to access software from America's Microsoft Corporation.
A librarian at the school told former US ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell during a visit to the university that Microsoft had told them they were barred from trading with Zimbabwe.
This was after Dell had claimed that the sanctions were only targeted at specific individuals in the Government and Zanu-PF.
Individuals and companies resident in Zimbabwe have been barred by PayPal, the largest online method of payment and transferring money, from accessing the facility because of the sanctions.
PayPal, which is based in the US, says it cannot open user accounts for Zimbabweans because the US Treasury has barred them from doing so.
PayPal has over 100 million users across the globe and Zimbabwe has been sanctioned from this market.
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illegal sanctions? Why are they illegal? Nothing illegal about them at all...
Awt, you are a strange doode and increasingly a liar on Sactions. I thought by now you would have published your website that said there are no sanctions on Zimbabwe!!
ok Phiri, point made, now these sanctions on Zimbabwe, can you provide the link and tell us all what the sanctions on Zimbabwe are. please. I look forward to your answer.
Zola, lets get this straight..I don't have to respond to every stupid comment posted by white Rhodesians such as yourself!! I will answer questions that have substance. Your question is missing the point! I do not have to prove anything to anybody, and this includes you.
I do not live in rhodesia where every whiteman in the country had to be obeyed and "bwanad" all over.
You are married to a black woman and I have a white relative...so what? Big deal....
Just a simple question Phiri, no need to get your knickers in a knot!
Why are sanctions illegal?
Under Zidera the US has the sovereign right to deterime who is trades with, how it votes under the IMF and who it lets into is borders.
Remember also that the US only has 16% voting rights at the IMF so any lack of access to funds is not soley the US fault, its a collection of countries that have emposed this.
Besides, the IMF now has given Zimbabwe access to funds, so whats the big deal?
What sanctions remain that are causing trouble to Zimbabwe?
Does the fact Grace cant travel to Beverly Hills or Paris to do her christmas shopping keep you up at nights?
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