News / National
Modi sets up makeshift shops in suburbs
22 Jan 2019 at 23:01hrs | Views
ZANU-PF Bulawayo South legislator Raj Modi has set up makeshift shops in the western suburbs to service residents following the opposition instigated looting and destruction of shops last week.
After the destruction of shops, some unscrupulous people, taking advantage of the situation, have been selling basic commodities to stranded residents at exorbitant prices.
Modi, who is also Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, yesterday toured the makeshift shops in Mpopoma, Nketa 6 and 9. He said the makeshift shops would be servicing residents while his shops that were also targeted were being repaired.
"Most shops in high density suburbs are closed following the violent protests. Some informal traders are capitalising on this situation and people are getting ripped off. I have seen it necessary to resume operations at my shops in high density suburbs as a way of helping the people get basics at a more affordable price."
"Some people are selling bread for $3-4. However, we have it at the bakeries at a gazetted price of $1, 50. Mealie meal is being sold at $15 for a 10 kg bag but we have it at $6, 50 for the same quantity. These are just some of the basic commodities that people need and deserve to get at the right price.
"People do not have to go to town for such small basics and the inconvenience that they face is unfortunate," said Modi.
He urged other retailers to sell goods to the public at fair prices and desist from joining the bandwagon of price hike madness.
"I urge other businesses to avail their services to the public and provide relief to residents who are forced to walk long distances to the city centre as they cannot afford to pay kombi fares," said the Dep Minister.
Most shops in western suburbs were emptied by looters who also destroyed property worth millions of dollars at the instigation of groups who allegedly did not participate in the process.
The looting of shops and destruction of property occurred following violence that broke out after the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions called for a three-day stay away.
Details emerging from residents are that there was group of people who allegedly broke into shops and encouraged residents to loot while they did not participate in the looting spree. Police have so far arrested more than 600 suspects implicated in the looting sprees.
After the destruction of shops, some unscrupulous people, taking advantage of the situation, have been selling basic commodities to stranded residents at exorbitant prices.
Modi, who is also Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, yesterday toured the makeshift shops in Mpopoma, Nketa 6 and 9. He said the makeshift shops would be servicing residents while his shops that were also targeted were being repaired.
"Most shops in high density suburbs are closed following the violent protests. Some informal traders are capitalising on this situation and people are getting ripped off. I have seen it necessary to resume operations at my shops in high density suburbs as a way of helping the people get basics at a more affordable price."
"Some people are selling bread for $3-4. However, we have it at the bakeries at a gazetted price of $1, 50. Mealie meal is being sold at $15 for a 10 kg bag but we have it at $6, 50 for the same quantity. These are just some of the basic commodities that people need and deserve to get at the right price.
"People do not have to go to town for such small basics and the inconvenience that they face is unfortunate," said Modi.
He urged other retailers to sell goods to the public at fair prices and desist from joining the bandwagon of price hike madness.
"I urge other businesses to avail their services to the public and provide relief to residents who are forced to walk long distances to the city centre as they cannot afford to pay kombi fares," said the Dep Minister.
Most shops in western suburbs were emptied by looters who also destroyed property worth millions of dollars at the instigation of groups who allegedly did not participate in the process.
The looting of shops and destruction of property occurred following violence that broke out after the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions called for a three-day stay away.
Details emerging from residents are that there was group of people who allegedly broke into shops and encouraged residents to loot while they did not participate in the looting spree. Police have so far arrested more than 600 suspects implicated in the looting sprees.
Source - chronicle
