Zimbabwean authorities say they
have given foreign shop-owners – mostly Chinese and Nigerian nationals –
an ultimatum to shut down their businesses by 1 January.
A
top official of the black empowerment ministry said only Zimbabweans
had the right to run shops that have sprung up across the country and
are termed foreign businesses targeted under the nation’s black
empowerment laws, the state-controlled Herald newspaper reported Friday.
Those laws, passed in 2007, demand foreign businesses to cede 51% control to local blacks.
The
foreign shop owners have been criticized for taking retail trade
opportunities from Zimbabwean traders by selling cheap imports.
Poor townships and city flea markets have in recent years been inundated by shops run by foreigners.
According to state media, shop owners who fail to comply will be arrested.
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