SA to take Zimbabwe to task on indigenisation

SOUTH African government officials are calling for a meeting with their Zimbabwean counterparts following claims that the implementation of empowerment regulations is affecting South Africans operating businesses in the country.

South Africa's Ambassador to Zimbabwe Vusi Mavimbela, said this soon after meeting Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Harare yesterday.

Ambassador Mavimbela said there were reports that some people were illegally settling themselves on farms owned by South Africans.

"We are not happy with farm invasions that have been taking place in the country and South African farmers being evicted from their farms.

"Scores of farmers came to our offices for assistance and the majority have been rendered destitute save for a few who have been taken in by friends," Ambassador Mavimbela said.

He said the invasions were in violation of the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement between the two countries.

"According to the agreement, evicted farmers should be compensated for the development they have done on the farm.

"It is my understanding that the Zimbabwe Government does not have the money to compensate the affected farmers and this leaves them in a destitute state with no food or accommodation," he said.

Added the Ambassador: "We believe that this has gone beyond what the governments can do and it is now time for governments to meet."

The ambassador said it was not only the issue of farms that concerned the South African government but also mining licences.

"When the Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Saviour Kasukuwere, told Zimplats bosses that their operating licence had been withdrawn because their indigenisation plans had been rejected, it caused a stir and this is not the way things should be done," he said.

Zimplats is a subsidiary of Impala Platinum Mines Limited (Implats) based in South Africa and listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange.

Ambassador Mavimbela said President Jacob Zuma would visit Zimbabwe soon as part of his mediation in the dialogue between parties in the inclusive Government.

"President Zuma is still a facilitator in the country and is still seized with facilitation.

"Both sides are trying to find an appropriate date when the facilitation team can come to Zimbabwe to meet negotiators, Jomic and others. It's a precursor for a meeting at the higher level where president Zuma will meet the principals," he said.

On the deportations of Zimbabweans from South Africa, Ambassador Mavimbela said they were not being targeted as they had been given time to legalise their stay in the country.

"Our government has said a lot about this, there is no targeting of Zimbabweans, there was a moratorium given and that has now expired . . . There is no mass targeting of Zimbabweans; it is just the Home Affairs law being followed," he said.

The Prime Minister was not available for comment after the closed-door meeting.

However, Ambassador Mavimbela said PM Tsvangirai had noted the concerns and promised to raise the issue in Government with relevant ministers.