Zimplats Licence Will Not Be Cancelled – Mines Minister

Mpofu told Radio VOP in an answer to a question on whether he was aware that the Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment, Saviour Kasukuwere, had recommended the cancellation of the Zimplats licence alleging that its papers had been dismissed by his ministry when it presented its indigenisation plans to him.

“We have not and will never cancel any operating licence,” he said. “In fact we are still discussing the issue but I can confirm to you that the operating licence of Zimplats has not been withdrawn.”

Kasukuwere simply smiled after Minister Mpofu had made the clarification at the Zimbabwe Mining Indaba being held at the five star Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare.

Later Kasukuwere in an address to more than 400 delegates at the conference hall said he did not intend to revoke any licences as being said by the media.

“They thought me and my friend Phillip (Chiyangwa) want to grab mines from the white people but this is not true,” he said amid applause from delegates coming as far as South Africa and Brazil.

“This is not a ‘Kasukuwere Act’ but an Act for Zimbabweans. We are not seeking confrontation but are simply following the regulations as stipulated by the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act.”

In an interview with Radio VOP, Winston Chitando, the Zimplats Chief Executive said: “We are very happy. In fact we are very happy about what the minister has just told you. He said it in front of everyone. We are, however, still negotiating with Minister Kasukuwere but he has not taken our operating licence away.”