Swiss food giant Nestlé has suspended its operations in Zimbabwe saying it is being harrassed by government officials.

Nestlé says it received an unannounced visit by civil servants and police who forced them to accept a milk delivery from a non-contracted supplier. They questioned several managers and threatened to withdraw the plant's license. A spokesperson said the circumstances make it impossible for the company to guarantee normal operations and the safety of the employees. In October Nestlé stopped purchasing milk from a formerly white-owned farm which was seized by relatives of President Robert Mugabe. Since then, the Swiss firm has been under pressure to resume its purchases from the farm.

(Photo: flickr / Pedro Angelini)