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Consumer Council attacks wholesalers, retailers
Pindai Dube, The Zimbabwe Independent
January 05, 2007

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/viewinfo.cfm?linkid=12&id=9665&siteid=1

THE Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has accused wholesalers and retailers of fuelling inflation by selling basic commodities at exorbitant prices on the parallel market.

CCZ Matabeleland representative, Comfort Muchekeza, said the wholesalers were hoarding scarce basic commodities for resale on the parallel market at exorbitant prices.

"Wholesalers and retailers have been hoarding the commodities whenever the commodities are available from the manufacturers (but) while the commodity is scarce in shops, it can be seen in push carts outside the shop," said Muchekeza.

He said retailers and wholesalers were hoarding basic commodities in anticipation of price increases, leading to artificial shortages.

Muchekeza said this was further exacerbated by panic buying by consumers fearing significant price increases.

"Due to the anticipation of a price increases, consumers have been panic buying commodities whenever they are available," he said.

He said law enforcement agents should monitor the conduct of some businesses especially wholesalers and retailers as they were fuelling the black market.

"As CCZ, we call upon the police and government to effectively monitor the business conduct of some wholesalers and retailers as these are the ones fuelling the shortages of basic commodities," he said.

Last month CCZ blasted bakeries for supplying confectionery, super loaves and low quality loaves instead of the ordinary standard loaf.

Industry and International Trade minister Obert Mpofu has vowed to deal with shops that are flouting price controls and violating the Controlled Goods Act by increasing prices of controlled commodities.

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