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| President Emmerson Mnangagwa |
Zimbabweans reacted with outrage Sunday to a sharp rise in the price
of fuel announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in a move to improve
supplies as the country struggles with its worst gasoline shortages in a
decade.
After years in international isolation, Zimbabwe’s economy has been
in decline for more than a decade, with cash shortages, high
unemployment and recently a scarcity of basic staples like bread and
cooking oil.
In a televised address on Saturday, Mnangagwa said prices of petrol
and diesel would more than double to tackle a shortfall caused by
increased demand and “rampant” illegal trading.
The main labour alliance Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)
said the government had demonstrated a lack of empathy for the already
overburdened poor by introducing the more than 100 per cent hike.
“Workers’ government has officially declared its anti-worker,
anti-poor and anti-people ideological position by increasing fuel
prices. Workers’ salaries have been reduced to nothing and our suffering
elevated to another level,” it said.
Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Nelson Chamisa
said: “We have a national crisis which is descending into a
humanitarian crisis.
“We believe this crisis requires all hands on the deck. We will lead
and stand ready to play a key role in finding a lasting solution.”
Evan Mawarire, a cleric and activist who led anti-government protests
in 2016 that shut down major cities, said: “You have cornered us and
you leave us no choice. It’s time to mobilise every person who truly
loves Zimbabwe.”
– ‘Piecemeal solutions’ –
Looking tired after spending his second night in a petrol queue in
Avondale suburb, motorist Edmore Phiri said: “We are not going anywhere
with these piecemeal solutions that are not solutions. Those in
government may not admit it but they know in their hearts that they have
failed.
“You can’t have a country where people sleep in cars for days for a commodity that should be readily available.”
Mnangagwa, who took over from longtime leader Robert Mugabe and won a
disputed election last July, also announced a package of measures to
help state workers after strikes by doctors and teachers over poor pay.
He said that from midnight Saturday petrol prices would rise from
US$1.24 a litre to $3.31 (2.89 euros) and diesel from $1.36 a litre to
$3.11.
“Following the persistent shortfall in the fuel market attributable
to increased fuel usage in the economy, and compounded by rampant
illegal currency and fuel trading activities, government has today
decided on the following corrective measures,” he said.
The government says the prices were lower than in other countries in
the region and that some foreigners were taking advantage, buying fuel
in bulk in Zimbabwe for resale elsewhere.
The announcement came after fuel shortages which began in October
last year worsened in recent weeks with motorists sometimes spending
nights in queues to fuel pumps stretching for kilometres.
He said the government has introduced new measures to curb a
burgeoning parallel market in which fuel was being sold at five times
the official price.
The president warned that the government would deal harshly with
“elements bent on taking advantage of the current fuel shortages to
cause and sponsor unrest and instability in the country.”
Government doctors went on a 40-day strike beginning in early
December demanding salaries in US dollars and improved working
conditions, while teachers’ unions called a strike this week for better
pay but their calls went largely unheeded.
Mnangagwa announced “a package of measures to cushion government workers.”
Mnangagwa, who took over from long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, has
pledged to revive the country’s moribund economy and end its
international isolation.
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