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Bread, net disasters hit Zimbabwe | Bread, net disasters hit Zimbabwe |
(30 minutes later) | |
Shops in the Zimbabwe capital Harare are running short of bread after three top food-makers were arrested for over-charging for their products. | Shops in the Zimbabwe capital Harare are running short of bread after three top food-makers were arrested for over-charging for their products. |
Prices of bread and other staple foods are controlled by the government and bakers say the official price does not even meet production costs. | Prices of bread and other staple foods are controlled by the government and bakers say the official price does not even meet production costs. |
In another sign of Zimbabwe's economic meltdown, its main internet connection has been shut because of unpaid debts. | In another sign of Zimbabwe's economic meltdown, its main internet connection has been shut because of unpaid debts. |
One internet provider said the closure was "catastrophic." | One internet provider said the closure was "catastrophic." |
Journalist Brian Hungwe says that in Harare some shops have already run out of bread, although some stores still have supplies. | Journalist Brian Hungwe says that in Harare some shops have already run out of bread, although some stores still have supplies. |
The AFP news agency reports that some shops have got extra supplies of rolls and scones, as their prices are not controlled. | The AFP news agency reports that some shops have got extra supplies of rolls and scones, as their prices are not controlled. |
'Collapse' | 'Collapse' |
The executives, one from a major Zimbabwean bread-maker, were arrested at the weekend. | The executives, one from a major Zimbabwean bread-maker, were arrested at the weekend. |
Bread prices rose last week to 330 Zimbabwe dollars (US$1.32) a loaf, while the official price remains Z$200. | Bread prices rose last week to 330 Zimbabwe dollars (US$1.32) a loaf, while the official price remains Z$200. |
ZIMBABWE CRISIS Life expectancy 30 yearsHigh dependency on food aid20% adult HIV prevalenceShortages of basic foodstuffsHigh unemploymentInflation 1,200% New high for inflation Three more top businessmen have also been arrested on similar charges, reports the state-owned Herald newspaper. | |
"We have charged them with increasing prices without authority from the Ministry of Industry and International Trade and we expect them to appear in court tomorrow," Chief Insp Phiri said. | "We have charged them with increasing prices without authority from the Ministry of Industry and International Trade and we expect them to appear in court tomorrow," Chief Insp Phiri said. |
The Herald also reports that some shops have reversed their prices rises. | The Herald also reports that some shops have reversed their prices rises. |
Zimbabwe's annual inflation is running at 1,200% - the highest rate in the world. | Zimbabwe's annual inflation is running at 1,200% - the highest rate in the world. |
The bakers said last week that their costs had risen by up to 289% in the month of June alone. | The bakers said last week that their costs had risen by up to 289% in the month of June alone. |
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's Internet Service Providers Association (Zispa) said that e-mail traffic and web use was down by 90% after the main satellite internet connection run by the state-owned TelOne was closed over a debt of $700,000. | Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's Internet Service Providers Association (Zispa) said that e-mail traffic and web use was down by 90% after the main satellite internet connection run by the state-owned TelOne was closed over a debt of $700,000. |
TelOne says it is waiting for the foreign currency to pay the bill from Zimbabwe's central bank. | TelOne says it is waiting for the foreign currency to pay the bill from Zimbabwe's central bank. |
"This is catastrophic as all legal Internet Service Providers utilize TelOne for their outgoing bandwidth to the World Wide Web as well as for e-mail traffic. In short, this... is causing an almost collapse of the Internet in Zimbabwe," said Mweb, the country's biggest provider. | "This is catastrophic as all legal Internet Service Providers utilize TelOne for their outgoing bandwidth to the World Wide Web as well as for e-mail traffic. In short, this... is causing an almost collapse of the Internet in Zimbabwe," said Mweb, the country's biggest provider. |
Earlier this year, Zimbabwe knocked three zeros off the denomination of its banknotes in an effort to contain inflation. | Earlier this year, Zimbabwe knocked three zeros off the denomination of its banknotes in an effort to contain inflation. |
The opposition says President Robert Mugabe has destroyed one of Africa's most developed economies through his policies. | The opposition says President Robert Mugabe has destroyed one of Africa's most developed economies through his policies. |
He blames the problems on a western plot to remove him from power. | He blames the problems on a western plot to remove him from power. |