A total of 1,328 Zimbabwean businessmen and women have been arrested and fined for breaking official price controls in the past two weeks, police say. The government ordered that the prices of many goods be cut in half, in order to tackle the world's highest rate of inflation - more than 3,700%. But businesses say the new prices are below cost, so some firms have closed. Officials have been visiting shops and businesses to ensure they are respecting the new prices. But this has led to panic buying and goods running short, when the prices are reduced.
Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka told the state-owned Herald newspaper that some businesses were raising prices again, as soon as the officials left. "We urge consumers to report such cases, using our police hotlines," he said.
| Assuming they still have phones ... |
| It's not the business sector that's insane. |
Supt Mandipaka said 33 top executives were in custody and would be taken to court shortly.
| Unless they pay 'fines'. |
The government has accused businessmen of deliberately raising prices in order to cause unrest and bring down President Robert Mugabe. Most economists say Mr Mugabe's policies are to blame for ruining the economy.
It has been suggested that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) could offer to help Zimbabwe's economy in exchange for political reforms. The MDC and western observers say previous elections have been rigged.
| Lies, all lies. They weren't rigged, they were ... 'adjusted' ... just like the exit polls that originally showed John F'n Kerry to be trailing in the vote in 2004. The pollsters ... fixed ... that since it was CLEARLY wrong. We're just following the esteemed example of our Donkey brethren and mentors. |