As we begin the countdown to this year's quest to have the illegally imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe removed, President and First Secretary of ZANU PF Cde E.D Mnangagwa has called for the unconditional removal of the sanctions saying they have a far reaching impact. This he said during a State Banquet for the President of Malawi Lazarus Chakwera during the latter's two-day State Visit. The illegally imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe have altered the lives of the people of Zimbabwe rendering many jobless as various companies closed shop. Efforts have been made "As you are aware, Zimbabwe has been under illegal economic sanctions for close to two decades. The impact of these sanctions on our socio-economic and political spheres is comprehensive and far reaching," President Mnangagwa said. "These sanctions were a direct response by Britain and her allies to Zimbabwe's Land Reform Programme in 1999/2000. We make no apologies for taking back our land and we are happy that the people have been reunited with their land." President Mnangagwa added that the sanctions were a deliberate move to effect regime change adding that the Zimbabwean people have however remained steadfast. "It has become very clear that these sanctions are designed to effect regime change. Hence, Zimbabwe continues to endure unrelenting attacks from external forces and their internal surrogates, with the intention of unconstitutionally, violently and illegally overthrowing our democratically elected Government. Thankfully, our people have remained vigilant, astute and patriotic," he said. "As a Government and people, we remain grateful for the invaluable support and solidarity that we have received from SADC Member States, who have over the years unequivocally opposed these sanctions. "The SADC Summit held in Dar-es Salam in 2019 declared the 25th of October as the date on which SADC Member States collectively call for the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe. Most recently during the debate in the UN General Assembly, other members of the African Union added their voices."