HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) – Zimbabwean authorities say they have given foreign shop-owners _mostly Chinese and Nigerian nationals, an ultimatum to shut down their businesses by Jan. 1.
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 percent 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.
The owners of foreign firms operating in certain sectors in Zimbabwe after 1 January 2014 will be arrested, a senior official has warned.
Economic Empowerment Secretary George Magosvongwe issued the warning in parliament, state media reports.
"Indigenisation" of the economy was one of President Robert Mugabe's main campaign themes in the March election.
Farming, hairdressing and baking are among the sectors now reserved for "indigenous", or black, Zimbabweans.
"1 January is a month to come and we are putting in place measures for enforcement in the event that they do not comply," the state-owned Herald newspaper quotes Mr Magosvongwe as saying.
He said that Zimbabweans were being identified to take over businesses to prevent shortages of goods.
According to the Herald the "reserved sectors of the economy" include: Retail and wholesale business, hairdressers, beauty salons, bakers, employment agencies, agriculture, transport, estate agencies and advertising agencies.
It said that foreign-owned restaurants which did not serve local food would not be affected.
Owners of businesses without indigenisation compliance certificates face a fine or imprisonment if they are still operating, the Herald reports.
It says these certificates are only given to local people.
The BBC's Brian Hungwe in Harare says that there has been growing concern in Zimbabwe over an influx of traders from Nigeria and China who sell all sorts of goods in local markets, undercutting local retailers.
Mr. Mugabe says his policies are needed because under colonial rule, many economic sectors were reserved for white people.
His critics say that his seizure of most of the country's white-owned land has ruined what used to be one of Africa's most developed economies.
*Pictured above is Robert Mugabe.
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