The UK’s number one supermarket turned its back on Zimbabwean farmers last night, by caving in to public pressure and agreeing to take the country’s food off its shelves after the reinstatement of Robert Mugabe as leader in last week’s sham election.
Only last Wednesday, Tesco representative Dharshini David told national radio listeners that Tesco’s fresh produce business with Zimbabwe would continue to safeguard the lives of thousands of workers. She said: “It is a small contract, but it affects thousands of employees and we can’t turn our backs on them.
“It is vital for us that we put these suppliers and workers first, and make sure we support them at this very difficult time indeed,” she added.
But by last night, the stance had changed. Tesco said it has taken the “difficult decision” to sever trade links with Zimbabwe “until there is an end to the current political crisis”.
A Tesco statement, first reported by the Daily Mail, read: “The amount of produce Tesco sources from Zimbabwe - worth around £1million per year - is insignificant in terms of global trade and influence.
“However, in the current circumstances, we have decided to stop sourcing any products from Zimbabwe as long as the political crisis persists in that country.
“We cannot ignore the escalating political crisis in Zimbabwe, and the growing consensus in the international community.'
Peter Hain, the former Labour cabinet minister and leader of the calls to oust Zimbabwe from international trade circles, welcomed Tesco’s move: “I hope it will give a lead to other British and global companies to freeze or suspend ties with Zimbabwe under Mugabe's tyranny.
“This is a decisive time when everybody and every institution in a position to take a stand should do so,” he said.
