by Innocent Mujeri
Prices of basic commodities have increased since Saturday last week, a day after President Emmerson Mnangagwa ordered a 21-day lockdown to mitigate the spread of the COVID 19 disease.
In an interview with this publication, Confederation of Retailers of Zimbabwe (CZR) president Denford Mutashu confirmed that prices of basic commodities have marginally increased in most retail shops in total defiance to President Mnangagwa’s call to freeze prices during the 21-day lockdown period.
“We have received complaints from consumers in areas such as Mutare, Zvishavane, Gweru and Mt Darwin that retailers have increased prices of most basic goods. As an association, we will not fold hands while retailers are fleecing customers and profiteering from this crisis. We are going to descend heavily on them,” said Mutashu.
The CRZ president further said they were on the ground monitoring prices and they have since directed one retailer to reduce prices of potatoes which had been hiked to ZWL$800 per pocket.
“Yesterday (Monday), as CZR, we directed a certain retailer to immediately reduce the price of potatoes which had been hiked to ZWL$800 per 10kg pocket. We will continue making impromptu visits to shops to check if their prices are reasonable and fair. Those who want to profiteer out of this crisis are insensitive and as an Association, we will advocate for their operating licenses to be cancelled,” added Mutashu.
A survey conducted by this publication confirmed the increases mostly for goods such as cooking oil, flour, rice and sugar among others.
Last week, the price of a two litre cooking oil bottle was ranging from ZWL$89 to ZWL$95 in most retail shops. However, the price has increased this week with a 2 litre bottle of Raha cooking oil now being sold for ZWL$135 in Pick n Pay shops.
Whilst in OK, Food World and Spar shops, the same commodity is going for ZWL$137.
A survey conducted in high density residential areas such as Epworth, Hatfield and Budiriro, showed that prices have significantly increased.
The same 2 litres of cooking oil is going for ZWL$150.00 while a 2 kg flour and 2 kg rice are also going for ZWL$150.00
Ironically, shops previously argued that they peg their prices in tandem with the prevailing parallel market rate. The same parallel rate has, however, tumbled from ZWL$43 to USD1 down to ZWL$30 to USD1.
The increase in prices of basic commodities is in defiance with the Government’s directive for a price freeze of all basic commodities during the entire period of the lockdown.
In a previous statement, Mutashu confirmed that retailers have been ordered to freeze the prices.
“Basic commodity price increases are frozen as a sector contribution measure to Zimbabweans who have to date supported our businesses through good and hard times. Retail outlets that will increase prices of basic commodities during this difficult time will be closed indefinitely,” he said.
Economic analysts who spoke to this publication implored the Government to move in swiftly and restore order in the retail sector so as to safeguard citizens from unscrupulous businesses bent on profiteering out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
