Why Choppies left Zimbabwe: Business Documentary

In 2015, Choppies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and positioned itself as Africa’s fastest-growing retail empire. With over 125 stores across multiple countries and a valuation pushing toward $1 billion, it looked unstoppable. But behind the expansion was a far more complex story—one built on political access, proxy ownership, and high-risk markets like Zimbabwe. This documentary breaks down what really happened. From the 2013 entry into Zimbabwe under strict indigenisation laws, to the controversial partnership with Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko and his son… to the hidden ownership structures that allowed Choppies to operate while maintaining control. Then everything starts to unravel. In 2018, auditors refuse to sign off on the company’s books. The JSE and BSE suspend trading. Investor confidence collapses. At the same time, Zimbabwe’s economic crisis deepens—cash shortages, currency instability, and a rapidly shifting political landscape. What follows is a chain reaction: – A boardroom battle to remove CEO Ram Ottapathu – A breakdown in the Mphoko partnership – Public accusations from both sides over control, money, and interference – A $2.9 million settlement that raises even more questions – Allegations of missing funds involving senior political figures – Arrests that expose how business and power were deeply intertwined And finally, the quiet exit. By 2024/2025, Choppies sells its Zimbabwe operations back to local businessman Raj Modi—for a fraction of what they were once worth. This is not just a business failure. It is a case study of what happens when rapid expansion collides with political systems, weak governance, and economic instability. This is The Choppies Files. #zimbabwe #documentary #choppies #businessdocumentary #crisis #minidocumentary #botswana #mugabe #zanupf