Countrywide chaos as armed police and inspectors enforce price reductions

By Tererai Karimakwenda
02 June, 2007

Pure chaos is being reported around the country as government inspectors, armed police and youth militia are reported to be forcing shop keepers to comply with the 50% price reductions ordered by government last week. Many businesses have been reluctant and some refused to comply because suppliers have not reduced their prices, meaning businesses would be operating at a great loss by reducing. But those hired to enforce the price controls are using brutal force to make it happen. Shops around the country are almost empty, and assaults and arrests were reported in several incidents.

Journalist Angus Shaw described the atmosphere in the capital as “chaotic”. He said although Monday was calm, armed police accompanied by plain clothes monitors with clipboards had descended on many shopping areas over the weekend. According to Shaw, there is no bread and no meat in most shops. Perishable goods are finished and hunger will soon bite. A manager at the Newlands shops outside Harare tried to limit customers to only 2 of each item attacked. In Ruwa, the manager of a TM supermarket suffered severe injuries when he was attacked by youth militia hired to monitor prices. Several other attacks and looting incidents have been reported. And the large Supermarket chain Jaggers is lost about Z$500 million on orange juice alone after reducing the price. Another chain gave away all its bread rather than sell it at a loss. Many shops have closed and the owners reported to be in hiding.

The situation in the lowveld Chiredzi area has been described as madness by local residents. We received reports that police have been visiting traders in since Friday. But many traders had already closed shop and some are reported to be in hiding. On Monday the police began issuing fines to traders for allegedly overcharging. Those whose businesses are closed are being threatened with having their doors smashed and their goods confiscated.

Mealie-meal and many other essential food supplies virtually disappeared off the shelves overnight.