The government of Zimbabwe has disqualified businesses who are wantonly increasing prices of their commodities for cushioning facilities.
This was announced by the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Dr Sithembiso Nyoni who also that the government was putting in place SMEs and informal sectors’ cushioning facility that was announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently. She said:
We are saying all rural and urban retail shops that are fond of wantonly increasing prices of commodities should not bother to apply for the cushioning facility, as their applications will be rejected forthwith.
Her remarks come when some businesses are taking advantage of the 21-day national lockdown to increase prices of their commodities since they have little competition.
The majority of local companies have closed in adherence to the lockdown regulations and the few who are operational are taking advantage of that.
The government intends to cushion businesses since the closure of borders and the lockdown resulted in their businesses going down as they can no longer purchase commodities to restock.
More: The Sunday News