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Freedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau
Most retailers in Gweru are still selling commodities at inflated prices, despite Government warnings that it will take tough measures against such unscrupulous dealers.

Prices of basic goods like cooking oil and rice sky-rocketed at the weekend after reports on social media of a fake impending high inflation, sending people into a panic mode. Government has since moved in and assured the nation that everything was well, while urging the business community to revert to old prices as there were no major changes on the stock market.

A snap survey in Gweru yesterday showed that most retailers and wholesalers were still selling goods at inflated prices. There was still no cooking oil on the shelves of most retail shops, while the few that had the product slapped a limit of only one 2-litre bottle per customer. At Ok Mart, there was commotion as customers stampeded to buy the “scarce” cooking oil.

Even retailers who usually buy in cartons for resale were limited to one bottle each, forcing others to hire people to buy on their behalf. At Gains Wholesale, price tags were pulled down, with customers having to confirm the price at the till. A 5kg bag of mealie-meal was pegged at $2,50 up from the previous $2,05

Retail shops intending to buy cooking oil at Gains Wholesale were required to spend at least $250 for them to be allowed to buy either a box of 750ml or 2 litres of Roil cooking oil, which was in stock.