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THE proprietor of Golden Grill Fast Food outlets in Bulawayo, Paul Evans, yesterday said he was an indigenous Zimbabwean who should not be subjected to the requirements of the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act that compels foreign owned businesses to cede majority shareholding to locals.
Documents seen by Chronicle show that the company, registered as Stoney Road Catering, has two directors Evans and his wife Melanie who were both born in Bulawayo.
Golden Grill outlets were shut down last week by officials from the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Board (NIEEB) for allegedly flouting a section of the indigenisation law. The company has since resumed operations after engaging authorities.
“I am actually surprised as to where information that I am foreigner came from. I was born here and grew up here. I worked for a couple of local companies before I went to Botswana where I worked for seven years after which I returned back home,” Evans said.
He added: “In 2000 that is when we started this business and opened our first branch along Lobengula Street. Since then we have grown the business”.
Evans said anybody who had doubts about the shareholding structure of the company was free to visit the Registrar of Companies to check the records.
Under the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, foreigners are not allowed to invest in reserved sectors such as grain milling, barber shops, tobacco processing, bakeries, local transportation and fast food outlets among others.
A notice issued to Evans last week read in part: “This hereby serves as the final notice and should you not comply with the recommendations given within seven days from this date, we will cause the cancellation of your operating licence and you’ll be required to close your shop without further notice to you”.
Online Reporter