Time we name, shame authors of price hikes

It is high time consumers come out in defence of their rights as they name and shame unscrupulous businesses in the wake of the recent price hikes that President Robert Mugabe has described as acts of sabotage. It is disheartening to note how most shops in and around Harare hiked prices over the weekend following a false alarm by some cyber-trolls on social media who claimed that shortages of basic commodities were imminent.

Besides the price hikes, the same shops had the audacity to stop accepting plastic money and Eco-Cash transactions. For instance, at a supermarket at Chitubu in Glen Norah, a 2-litre bottle of cooking oil was increased from $3.50 to $5. Such corrupt activities by retailers should not go unchecked. Thanks to President Mugabe who has said Government is seized with the matter, assuring the nation that within a day or two things would have reverted to normal. If the war against corrupt business practices is to be won, consumers should speak out against retailers who have the propensity of hiking prices of commodities for no apparent reason, which later causes unnecessary panic buying.

The recent price hikes of goods and commodities by unscrupulous retailers should not go unpunished to ensure we do not have a repeat of the malpractice in the foreseeable future. Over the weekend, consumers started hoarding cooking oil in anticipation of shortages. Some even went to the extent of creating WhatsApp groups to inform each other of where to get commodities perceived to be in short supply, raising more alarm in the process.

Others used their last cent to buy lots of cooking oil, but for what?

Whereas most people were in a panic mode and made impulsive purchasing, it is reassuring that most big retail shops like OK, Pick n Pay and Choppies remain fully stocked with the commodities that caused the pandemonium over the weekend. In its efforts to protect the rights of consumers, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) should assist consumers by investigating and making arrests of retail shops which joined the frenzy of increasing prices.

Additionally, reports have it that most unlicensed supermarkets and tuckshop owners are hoarding basic goods with a view of reselling them on the parallel market, which they are anticipating to recur as what happened in 2008. These backyard tuckshop retailers are benefiting more than they should as they are operating without licences and most of their goods are proceeds of smuggling.

Most, if not all of these backyard tuckshops, do not pay taxes to Government. They are not contributing to the development of the country. They are just there to bleed consumers. Government, through the National Competitiveness Commission, should ensure that all retailers who do not comply with the law have their licences revoked. Also, fuel operators insisting on cash and turning away customers who want to use plastic money should be reined in.

Some of the fuel operators are alleged to use the excuse of network challenges or broken down point of sale machines. This has been causing long queues at filling stations where plastic money is accepted, hence leading to speculation that there is fuel shortages in the country. In that regard, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), which has been working hand and glove with fuel operators, should also investigate these deceitful fuel operators.

Fuel is one of the most critical economic enablers which can either make or break an economy. To that end, fuel prices and its accessibility have ripple effects in all sectors of the economy. The truth of the matter is that all licensed fuel operators are given foreign currency by the RBZ to import fuel; consequently, they have no clear reason to turn away those who want to purchase fuel using plastic money. Therefore, consumers should name and shame unscrupulous retail shops and fuel operators by reporting them to the responsible authorities as a way of curbing practices that affect our economic revival plans.

Also, if backyard tuckshops are insisting on cash only and also hiking prices, why buy from them when reputable retailers like TM, Pick n Pay, OK, Choppies are accepting all forms of payment?

Starving the backyard tuckshop owners of sales will knock some sense into their heads.

We cannot allow them to take over control of our economy. We should not allow them to set prices of basic commodities.