PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday warned Indian businesses against hoarding basic commodities, adding his administration would not hesitate to confiscate not only their warehouses, but all the stocks and distribute them to citizens in need as they were creating artificial shortages.
Addressing thousands of Zanu PF supporters at a star rally at Nyele Primary School in Bulilima District in Matabeleland South Province, Mnangagwa said he was disturbed by the current wanton increases in the prices of basic goods by unscrupulous businesses.
“I have been told today (yesterday) that some Indians in Harare are stocking basic goods in warehouses. So, they go and buy items like sugar in Chiredzi and all the basic goods like flour and salt and stock in their warehouses. They then hike the prices,” he said.
“Let me warn them that I am going to have my people investigate those warehouses and if it’s true, we shall confiscate, not only the ware-houses, but things inside and distribute them to you. “If they want to hoard, they should go and do that in their countries of origin, not in Zimbabwe.
My administration will never tolerate such inequities in independent Zimbabwe,” said Mnangagwa. He added that the government would continue disbursing devolution funds to the Matabeleland region to address the needs of the local communities.
“We realised that we in Harare don’t know the pressing needs of other communities. So, we decided to introduce devolution funds which we then send to the communities. So far since 2020, we have sent $16 billion to Matabeleland South for you to deal with your small community needs. We shall continue to increase devolution funds,” he said.
He added that Zanu PF decided to hold yesterday’s star rally in Bulilima district to honour the province for raising national heroes such as the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo.
“These are our founding fathers, Father Zimbabwe, the late hero and former Vice President Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, Jason Ziyapapa Moyo, George Silundika, Naison Ndhlovu, Simon Khaya Moyo, Thenjiwe Lesabe, among other sons and daughters of the revolution, came from this province. So, we who are their followers have to honour their leadership” Mnangagwa added. Nkomo died on July 1, 1999.
