 An independent consumer report says that food prices in Zimbabwe have gone up more than tenfold this year and unemployment is now at 80 per cent. The Independent Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (ICCZ) says the price of buying groceries has gone up more than 1,000 per cent this year. Bread has been in short supply and when available it costs 1,500 per cent more. Milk is 1,700 per cent more expensive. Unemployment is said to be more than 80 per cent since the Government's demolition campaign in May and inflation is more than 500 per cent. The United Nations blames mismanagement for the country's economic situation, but the Government of Robert Mugabe blames Western sanctions. The ICCZ report says 2005 has been agonising for Zimbabwean consumers. |