Tuesday, 29 March 2011

The controversial Zimbabwe company grab Act is now law!

The controversial Zimbabwe company grab Act is now law!

Also overnight (didn't sleep very well!), I caught a news report on the recently introduced company grab act which is now law in Zimbabwe.
Under this act foreign companies with net assets of more than $1 (initial proposal was $500,000) are required by law to divest a 51% controlling stake to members of the indigenous population.
The first sector being targeted is mining and the share prices of London Stock Exchange quoted Platinum miners: Impala Platinum and Aquarius Platinum have been hit as a deadline for their plans/proposals has passed.


Seems to be more of the same from Zimbabwe but wouldn't a straight forward tax on production or licensing agreement be easier and more palatable?

Again it raises questions about the wisdom of Neil Woodford's investment (albeit a relatively minor £55m) into such a volatile region (earlier post: Portfolio housekeeping and additions: Talk Talk, Invesco Perpetual, Vodaphone, and Tesco).

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