PRETORIA — SOUTH Africa’s economic interests and investments in Zimbabwe will remain protected, Zimbabwean Foreign Affairs minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said yesterday.
“There is no doubt regarding this country’s economic interests in Zimbabwe. They are and will remain protected,” Mumbengegwi told reporters in Pretoria.
He was speaking after talks with his South African counterpart Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
They discussed bilateral relations under the auspices of the Joint Commission for Co-operation.
Nkoana-Mashabane said the implication of Zimbabwe’s Indigenisation and Economic Act was raised during the meeting. The law requires all non-indigenous enterprises operating in Zimbabwe to dispose of at least a 51% shareholding to indigenous entities.
Nkoana-Mashabane said: “South African companies will continue to engage with Zimbabwean authorities on this.”
Zimbabwe remained one of the country’s top trading partners in Southern Africa, she said. — Sapa
