Zimbabwe President Mugabe says control of businesses in black empowerment program goes ahead

Zimbabwe business take overs stay, Mugabe pledges

HARARE, Zimbabwe — President Robert Mugabe pledges to go ahead with plans for Zimbabweans to take over 51 percent control of businesses under a controversial black empowerment program.

During ceremonies Sunday marking the 30th anniversary of independence from colonial rule, Mugabe says the proposed business take overs are “a concrete example” of policies followed over the last three decades that enable the people to own the nation’s resources.

The new so-called indigenization law “recognizes the sovereign right of ownership,” he tells crowds at the 50,000 seat Chinese-built sports stadium in Harare.

The party of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the former opposition leader present at the ceremonies Sunday, has opposed the program and said Wednesday it had been shelved to avoid deterring much-needed foreign investment.