Persistent shortages of all basic commodities continue, as does the exodus of professionals. The long-standing shortage of foreign currency and failure by the Zanu (PF) regime to address macro-economic fundamentals are the major causes for a bleak scenario condemning the majority to suffering.
Fuel suppliers have hiked the prices of both diesel and petrol to around to Z$2 million per litr, based on the further weakening of the local currency against major currencies and that has had a ripple effect on the prices of commodities and services across the board.
Government and the National Oil Company of Zimbabwe outlets are virtually dry. “We have increased fuel in response to the decline in the Zimbabwe Dollar trading against major currencies,” a fuel importer said this week. “It is very likely that we shall continue reviewing the prices of both diesel of petrol because the dollar continues to fall.” It is trading this week at more than Z$1 million – US$1.
Prices of the few commodities available in supermarkets have increased sharply in the past week. A Squish Squash 2 litre bottle of orange juice was this week selling at Z$2,2 million up from Z$1 million last week, and the price of one chicken rose to $2,5 million from about $1,3 million previously. Stampedes caused injuries in Harare following the trickling in of low bread supplies on the official market but with only one bakery, Lobels baking thereby failing to significantly meet the market demands. But bread has been available on the black market, selling more than five times higher than the stipulated Z$100 000.
Industry and International Trade minister Obert Mpofu declined to talk to this paper when contacted to comment on the issue of prices and the abandoned government policy against price increases.
Eddie Cross, the Movement for Democratic Change (Tsvangirai) secretary for economic affairs said, “The general populace is paying the price for the regime’s obduracy and disregard of economic principles whilst pursuing self-serving policies.” – Itai Dzamara
Post published in: News