In answer to a question on whether he was aware that the Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment, Saviour Kasukuwere, had cancelled the Zimplats licence, Mpofu told The Zimbabwean :
"We have not and will never cancel any operating licence. In fact we are still discussing the issue but I can confirm to you that the operating licence of Zimplats has not been withdrawn."
Later Kasukuwere told 400 delegates at the Mining Indaba that he did not intend to revoke any licences.
"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, Winston Chitando, the Zimplats Chief Executive said: "We are very happy about what the minister has just told you. He said it in front of everyone. We are still negotiating.”
Post published in: News