HARARE – Recent economic statements by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Finance minister Mthuli Ncube have reportedly caused shortages of most locally produced commodities at retail outlets, while others have been overpriced, stoking fears about the 2008 scenario.
Last week, Mnangagwa dealt a serious blow to local industry by preventing banks from lending to everyone, including industry, a move that would have triggered the current shortages.
To fill the hole, Ncube on Saturday gave the green light to those with free funds to import commodities to fill the void.
This was all seen as a major betrayal of the local industry, which was on the road to recovery, while some sections point to Ncube’s knee-jerk policies signaling a return to full dollarization.
The government has in the past restricted imports of basic necessities as part of a protectionist measure to support local industries.
