𝗦𝗢, 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥? Someone raised a fascinating question today: Have sanctions suddenly become effective because Cde Hon. Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei has been appointed Minister? For more than two decades, we have argued that Western sanctions have undermined Zimbabwe's economic development, restricted access to international finance and complicated our country's economic recovery. And what did our critics say? "They're targeted." "They don't affect ordinary Zimbabweans." "Sanctions are just an excuse." Now Dr Tagwirei becomes Minister of Economic Development and Investment Promotion, and suddenly sanctions are being presented as a potentially insurmountable obstacle to his success. What changed? The sanctions, or the politics? You cannot spend 25 years dismissing concerns about sanctions, only to invoke their devastating consequences when politically convenient. But here is the bigger point. I believe Dr Tagwirei was appointed not despite his experience with sanctions, but precisely because of his demonstrated ability to operate under them. He has built substantial business interests across strategic sectors, including energy, mining and finance, while navigating an exceptionally difficult international environment. That experience is not incidental. It is relevant to the responsibilities of his new office. In my assessment, Zimbabwe has appointed one of its most experienced sanctions navigators to a ministry tasked with attracting investment and accelerating economic development. The real test is not whether Dr Tagwirei can operate under sanctions. He has already demonstrated that he can. The real test is whether he can translate that experience into investment, industrial expansion, jobs and measurable economic growth. And to those suddenly discovering the power of sanctions, one question remains: Were you wrong about sanctions for 25 years, or has Dr Tagwirei's appointment simply changed your political argument?