To the Editor Stop price madness

I WAS disturbed by the recent reports from the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) which revealed that the cost of living in Zimbabwe is going up.

It surprises me so much that this comes at a time when everyone is expecting things to stabilise ever since the notorious G40 faction was removed from power in November last year.

The report said the monthly food basket for a family of six has increased by more that 0,49 percent, something which the suffering people of this country were not expecting.

It is not easy for most families at the moment to raise more than $150 for food alone when they will also be expected to raise more money for school fees, rentals, uniforms, water and electricity bills as well as transport to and from work on a daily basis.

This has forced many consumers to walk very long distances going to their workplaces every day.

I visited some leading supermarkets in the CBD where I witnessed the shock of my life. I found out that the products which the CCZ said were relatively affordable had long expired.

Some of the products, especially those expiring the next day had the price of one for two even though this is not good for people’s health to buy expired goods.

As long as goods are being sold at reduced prices most consumers don’t look at whether they are buying certified products or not. They should be encouraged to buy only from recommended shops and avoid buying their basics from the black market.

We were also shocked by the decision by bakeries to withdraw superior or family loaves from the market.

These bakeries should not be allowed to take us the consumers for granted since we are the ones who have made them what they are today. Between the period of January to April we have also seen the price of standard bread increased from between 80c and 90c to $1 and as if it was not enough the price of fresh milk has also gone up to an average of $1,45 a litre from $1,22 at the beginning of the ear.

Most consumers are now appealing to the responsible ministry to stop these unnecessary price increases. Eddious Masundire Shumba, Waterford, Bulawayo.