Cheap Chinese products are flooding the economy in Zimbabwe and causing shops and factories to shut, adding to unemployment. According to international media reports, Chinese goods, known as zhing-zhongs have caused shoe and 30 textile factories to close doors. In Namibia, a similar situation is developing, according to shop owners.

In a desperate attempt, the Zimbabwe government increased import duties late last year, to curb the flow of zhing-zhongs. The invasion of these goods is apparently attributed to President Mugabe’s close ties with Red China. The well known Bata shoe factory in Zambabwe apparently had sales dropped by over 25 % due to cheap plastic footwear imported from China.