Zimbabwe to widen imports ban

Government is considering widening the list of products prohibited from being imported into the country as part of measures meant to protect the domestic industry, which has been pushed by cheap imports to the brink of collapse.

In June, government issued Statutory Instrument (SI) 64 of 2016, which banned the importation of 42 products, sparking riots in Beitbridge, which borders Zimbabwe and South Africa - the country's biggest trading partner.

The riots were instigated by cross border traders in Zimbabwe and retailers across the Limpopo River, whose livelihoods were adversely impacted on by the protectionist policy.

These should now brace for another round of trade restrictions as government gives in to pressure from local manufacturers who have been forced to cut back on production or close shop, overwhelmed by competition from cheaply priced imports.