Desperate to contain the crumbling economic situation which has since gone out of hand, cabinet has warned businesses against inflating prices of basic commodities.
Addressing the media after a cabinet session yesterday, vice President Kembo Mohadi said stern measures will be taken against those that are engaging in such malpractices.
“Government is warning those that have hiked prices and also those that are hoarding basic commodities to create artificial shortages to stop this malpractice forthwith,” said Mohadi.
He added that, “Government will take stern measures against those who continue to engage in such malpractices, which are bent on inflicting suffering on our people.”
The economic situation is fast deteriorating on a daily basis with fears that the country is slowly sliding back to the 2008 hyper inflationary era where most businesses stopped operating.
The Government assured citizens that the country had enough fuel stocks.
This is despite the occurrence of long queues at most service stations since last week.
“Fuel companies have adequate stocks to satisfy the needs of the country and at prices agreed to by ZERA still operational. These are in the range of 41.31(diesel) and $1.41(petrol),” Mohadi said.
The government committed to provide foreign currency to support concerned manufacturers.
On the prices of drugs, government said steps are being taken to ensure the availability of foreign currency to the pharmaceutical companies.
“These institutions are encouraged to accept medical aid payments, not to hike their fee and not to respect parallel market transactions. Failure to comply with this, the Minister has been directed to take drastic measures,” noted Mohadi.
Most pharmacies in Harare have since adopted a three tier pricing model for United States dollars, swipe and bond notes.
On bread shortages, the government said millers have started receiving a consignment of 30 000 metric tons which would be adequate for 22 days.
