ZANU PF yesterday said it was worried by the wave of price
increases in the country and called for urgent measures to be taken to address
the situation while denying responsibility for the prevailing situation.
“We are totally opposed to this wave of price increases and
for whatever reason, the party is against it. It is affecting the generality of
our people and we have actually pointed out this to government and they seem to
be also opposed to these unwarranted increases,” the party’s secretary for
administration Obert Mpofu said.
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing regular price increases,
particularly for basic goods, with opposition parties and analysts blaming
government for failing to contain the situation.
“I am sure government is doing something about it.
Something drastic needs to be done to stop this. It is not helping us at all.
Whatever the reasons could be, it is unacceptable.
“We are the ruling party and the party is not condoning
this. This is really against all party objectives and principles and I know
government is against it as well,” he said, adding that the effects would be
dire, especially for the majority who earn meagre wages.
Mpofu said they were currently studying the trends with a
view to coming up with a party position.
The former Home Affairs minister charged that businesses
must explain the cost drivers because some expenses, such as electricity and
other ingredients, have remained constant.
Asked why the government, which the ruling party has
dominated over the past 39 years, has failed to bring about an enabling
environment, Mpofu said the fact that they are speaking means that they are not
happy with the situation.
He said if their calls were not heeded, then measures would
follow.
“This is Zanu PF speaking and we are against these price
increases. It is not the government that is increasing prices, it is
individuals for whatever reasons. We are saying as a ruling party, these are
unjustified and unacceptable,” Mpofu said.
“If what we are saying is not listened to, then we will let
you know of what measures we are going to take to ensure that people in the
market place are responsive to people’s needs.
“We are going to go by what people want and I am sure
government is doing its best to contain this wave of price increases.” Newsday
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