HARARE, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday slammed businesses that are wantonly hiking prices of basic commodities and described such conduct as "inhumane, unethical and unpatriotic."
In an address to mark the nation's 39th independence anniversary, the president said the government was implementing measures to stabilize the economy, including the recent introduction of the market-based exchange rate system.
"However, the government is alarmed by the recent wanton and indiscriminate increase in prices which has brought about untold suffering to the people.
"This conduct by stakeholders in business, industry and commerce is inhumane, unethical, unpatriotic and goes against the grain of economic dialogue that we have initiated in this country," the president said.
Zimbabwe has witnessed a fresh wave of price increases of most basic commodities in recent days as the nation battles foreign currency shortages that have affected importation of essential commodities such as fuel, drugs and wheat.
On Tuesday this week, millers and bakers increased maize meal and bread prices citing high input costs. Bread price nearly doubled to 3.50 RTGS dollars (a new transitional currency) from 2 dollars, further making it unaffordable to many people.
Mnangagwa said the country was this year celebrating its independence anniversary under a heavy cloud of grief and sorrow due to Cyclone Idai disaster which left a trail of destruction and killed over 300 people while hundreds are still missing.
He said Zimbabwe was grateful to countries that donated towards Cyclone Idai relief efforts, including China, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and several countries in southern Africa.
"I particularly thank our brothers and sisters (in Mozambique) for according dignity to the remains of our people who were swept into their territory," he said.
"The cyclone has indeed left a deep scar which will be with us for a long time to come. We mourn with the governments and people of sister republics of Mozambique and Malawi who also lost precious lives due to Cyclone Idai."
The independence celebrations ran under the theme: "Zimbabwe @39 - Embracing Devolution for Vision 2030".
