[miningmx.com] — A FAR more positive outlook on Zimbabwe’s controversial indigenisation legislation would become clearer by the end of the year, according to Matthew Neuhaus, Australia’s ambassador to Zimbabwe.
Neuhaus was speaking at a Zimbabwe investment lunch held on Friday at the Africa Down Under conference being held in Perth, Australia.
He supported earlier statements made at the conference by Tapiwa Mashakada – Zimbabwe’s minister of economic planning and investment promotion – that recent actions and statements by the country’s Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere had not been approved by the Zimbabwean cabinet.
“There is a considerable difference of views on the issue of indigenisation and the requirement for 51% indigenous ownership is not a position endorsed by the Zimbabwean cabinet,’ said Neuhaus.
“I believe that by the end of the year there will be greater clarity on indigenisation and in a more positive direction.’
Asked why Kasukuwere in July had rejected all 175 indigenisation applications received from mining companies Mashakada replied, “that was a single-handed act by one member of government.
“Zimbabwe has an inclusive government which works collectively. We are now seized with the matter to put consistency and clarity into the implementation of the Act.
“By the end of the year we should have put everything back on a clearer path.’
Neuhaus added he believed Zimbabwe would align its indigenisation policies with those of the other SADC (Southern African Development Community) nations.
“I’m a Zimbabwe optimist and I am optimistic that the outcome will be positive,’ he commented.
