News / National
Choppies to stay in Zim
21 Jul 2016 at 08:08hrs | Views
Ongoing public anger over the worsening economic conditions in Zimbabwe will not deter Choppies Group of Companies from continuing to do business in Zimbabwe according to authorities in Botswana where the company originatyes from.
Zimbabweans recently partook in a countrywide shutdown to register their anger against ageing President Robert Mugabe, 92 for clinging onto power and failing to steer the country out of its current economic woes.
The Voice reported that in this public anger, Choppies franchise in Zimbabwe has been caught in the crossfire with some calling for a total boycott of the retail giant and destroying its stores because of its links with the ruling Zanu PF.
Choppies Zimbabwe is co-owned by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko.
Responding to a questionnaire this week, Choppies Group professed ignorance about the purported target on the chain supermarket stating that it's business as usual in Zimbabwe.
Choppies Group chief executive officer, Ottapathu Ramachandran told Voice Money that retail giant's business is normal in Zimbabwe despite the on-going civil strife.
Ramachandran said Choppies Group is also opposed to the imposition of imports ban which was recently introduced in that country to protect the local industry even though most companies are either closed or operating below capacity.
Asked if Choppies Group will close shop in Zimbabwe if the civil strife continues unabated, the ever optimistic businessman said: "Choppies Zimbabwe is there to stay."
Zimbabweans recently partook in a countrywide shutdown to register their anger against ageing President Robert Mugabe, 92 for clinging onto power and failing to steer the country out of its current economic woes.
The Voice reported that in this public anger, Choppies franchise in Zimbabwe has been caught in the crossfire with some calling for a total boycott of the retail giant and destroying its stores because of its links with the ruling Zanu PF.
Choppies Zimbabwe is co-owned by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko.
Responding to a questionnaire this week, Choppies Group professed ignorance about the purported target on the chain supermarket stating that it's business as usual in Zimbabwe.
Choppies Group chief executive officer, Ottapathu Ramachandran told Voice Money that retail giant's business is normal in Zimbabwe despite the on-going civil strife.
Ramachandran said Choppies Group is also opposed to the imposition of imports ban which was recently introduced in that country to protect the local industry even though most companies are either closed or operating below capacity.
Asked if Choppies Group will close shop in Zimbabwe if the civil strife continues unabated, the ever optimistic businessman said: "Choppies Zimbabwe is there to stay."
Source - The Voice
