|
Back to Index
This article participates on the following special index pages:
Sunrise of currency reform - Index of articles and reports on Zimbabwe's new currency reforms
CCZ
calls for proper removal of zeros in line with the pronouncements
in Mid-Term Monetary Policy Statement by the RBZ
Consumer Council
of Zimbabwe
August 08, 2006
The Consumer Council
of Zimbabwe (CCZ) calls on all retailers, manufacturers and service
providers to properly remove zeros as announced by the Reserve Bank
of Zimbabwe (RBZ) in its Mid-Term
Monetary Policy Statement.
CCZ has conducted
a snap survey of prices in supermarkets in the five regions CCZ
is represented in. the price surveys have been conducted within
7 days after the last price survey in July and it has been discovered
that some of the shops have increased prices in the wake of the
removal of zeros. It is a cause for concern to say prices can change
significantly within that period. Retailers must not take the removal
of zeros as an opportunity for them to increase prices. Whilst CCZ
notes that manufacturer prices may have changed leading to a change
in the selling price of a commodity, this is not always the case
for all products.
All supermarkets
have not taken heed of the calls made by the Reserve Bank Governor,
Dr Gideon Gono, not to increase prices. It is important that retailers
and service provider to do not give lip service by saying they support
the turnaround of the economy when they go and raise prices in the
name of removing zeros. We should all be seen to do something, positive
for the economy. The price increases only make the situation worse
for consumers. We call upon law enforcement agents and relevant
authorities to do something about the behaviour of some of these
supermarkets, to cushion consumers who are reeling under high inflation
and high prices.
CCZ commends those
who have removed zeros properly without increasing prices. Retailers,
manufacturers and service providers should not effect price increases
without justification. an opportunity without justification.
Stakeholders must
take heed of the RBZ Governor’s warning against increasing prices
of goods and services in light of the removal of zeros. The changeover
to new notes translates only to a removal of three zeros and not
price increases.
Some examples
of price increases noted in surveys conducted by CCZ are as follows:
|
COMMODITY |
PACK
SIZE |
OLD
PRICE ($) |
NEW
PRICE ($) |
| Washing
Soap |
Bar |
600
000 |
602 |
| Bath
Soap |
250g |
344
000 |
413 |
| Margarine |
1kg |
1
100 000 |
1
315 |
| Toothpaste
|
100ml |
910
000 |
1
050 |
| Beef
Economy |
1kg |
900
000 |
950 |
| Salt-fine |
500g |
72
000 |
75 |
| Lyons
Peanut Butter |
350ml |
365
000 |
385 |
| Cabbage
|
Head
|
403
000 |
471 |
| Coffee
|
200g |
1
230 000 |
1
360 |
| Light
Bulb |
40w |
200
000 |
230 |
Consumers should
report any retailers and manufacturers who increase unjustifiably,
so that they are investigated. They can make use of the CCZ toll
free line 0801 2222 280 so that remedial action and the responsible
authorities are notified on time. Consumers can also report their
complaints or get further information on the removal of zeros by
contacting the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe on 0800 4262/5.
Visit the Consumer
Council of Zimbabwe fact
sheet
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
TOP
|
