By Tavita Natasha Mpala
The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe His Excellency Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa warned all retailers in all business sectors to desist from randomly hiking prices or risk losing their trading licenses as continued price hikes are affecting the public on daily basis.
Speaking during the First time voters interface Rally at Mucheke stadium on Friday last week, President Mnangagwa said the government will not watch as retailers raise prices a move which has eroded the ordinary citizen’s buying power and wellbeing.
“As we approach 2023 harmonised elections I call upon you to guard the peace, unity, love and harmony prevailing in our country.
Zimbabwe is a mature and peaceful constitutional democracy. We are aware of those bent on causing an economic implosion in our country by attacking our currency, they will never succeed.
This increase of prices and manipulation of the foreign exchange rates must stop! This morning when I met the Governor and those in the Ministry of Finance I gave them instructions that we shall not tolerate this nonsense, those who are going to be found wanting and commit crimes against the measures we have put in place shall have their trading licences withdrawn. T
hese people doing these heinous acts to cause suffering on our people for cheap politics – I now warn them, I now warn them, I now warn them.”
President Mnangagwa went on to reaffirm government’s dedication and commitment in grooming the young people to be leaders in all the social, scientific and economic governance spheres.
“We Zanu Pf and our government are implementing employment and empowerment initiatives for you our youth, these include youth in parliament, recruiting our people in strategic national institutions, scholarships, educational training institutions such as Binga Polytechnic college and vocational training centres.
Our heritage based education 5.0 model has resulted in innovation hubs and industrial parks in all state universities. Young people, use the good education system of our government to produce goods and services for our communities and the country as a whole.
Develop and capacitate yourselves with lifelong skills in keeping up with the ever changing world. The use of ICT needs to be innovative not just for entertainment, use your TikTok, Instagram, Youtube and other platforms to enhance your skills to improve your ideas and create goods and services.”
President Mnangagwa further encouraged cross boarder traders to import goods in bulky and help stabilize prices especially considering that the government has scrapped duty on all basic commodities.