MAGUNJE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sent his men to confront individual business entities over price increases as he moved Saturday to issue chilling threats against companies he accused of an elaborate plot to sabotage his administration.
The Zimbabwean leader, keen on winning his second straight term in elections due next month, has the unenviable task to remedy the current wave of price increases that have eroded incomes and further put a damper on the country’s economic revival hopes.
Addressing Zanu PF supporters at a star rally in Magunje, Mashonaland West on Saturday, Mnangagwa blamed the situation on private business entities.
“There are some businesses that are fighting us, especially soon after we proclaimed dates for elections,” Mnangagwa said in comments carried by state media.
“Prices started going up, and our Zimbabwe dollar was under attack, with the rate going up.
“This was done by those who wanted the people to turn against government. We sought to find out who these people are.
“Last time, I mentioned some of them. I also have a list of others. But I am going to name them next week in Zaka.
“Today, I want to warn them by saying that I sent my people to them about two days ago, to tell them that what they are doing is not right.
“So, you have seven days to make corrections. On the seventh day, I am going to name and shame those that do not shape up. Those who are hoarding and those who are manipulating.”
Zimbabwe has seen massive price increases on goods and services which have eroded workers’ incomes and put pressure on the Zanu PF authority to remedy the economic malady.
Unconfirmed reports say the price rampage was triggered by a recent payment by treasury on companies contracted to do some projects sanctioned by government.
Government pays suppliers and service providers in local currency.
Suppliers would then invade the parallel market to harvest hard currency as a store of value, triggering an artificial increase in exchange rates.
Mnangagwa has refused to see any wrong in his administration, instead blaming the price crisis on what he finds as unscrupulous practices by private business.
Said the Zimbabwe strongman, “We strongly warned some of them that we would name and shame them.
“They then begged us not to expose them by saying that our Zanu PF people would not buy from them.
“They chose to pay some fines and agreed to change their ways. On Tuesday, we will hear more about some of these businesses.
“So, those who are hoarding and manipulating the economy, I say to you, this is Zimbabwe and it is for Zimbabweans.
“Either you are with us or you are not with us. If you are with us, we will support you and give you the leeway to do business. But if you are not with us, business rako richaunyana (your business will crumble).”
