Prices shoot up after senate elections

By Lance Guma
02 December 2005

The price of basic commodities has shot up soon after the end of the controversial senate elections. In the run up to the poll government is said to have kept a tight leash on prices only to let go soon after the election. Some of the products to go up include Baby feeds, meat and potatoes. Meat has gone up from Z$110 000 per kg to Z$195 000 per kg. Most butcheries are meeting consumer resistance as people struggle to keep up with the increases.

The move follows in the footsteps of previous elections were government has exercised excessive control over the market to try and appease restless voters. Previous elections have in the majority been followed by massive price hikes. In the run up to the March 2005 parliamentary elections, fuel supplies were prioritised only for massive shortages to re-appear soon after the poll.

Economists have generally agreed the majority of elections bring out hopes for change and this results in businesses also agreeing to tow the government line on freezing prices. Zanu PF however won the senate elections even before they began courtesy of a successful opposition boycott and the temporary freeze had benefited only Zanu PF from a public relations view.