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Freedom Mupanedemo, Midlands Bureau
RETAILERS and consumers in Gweru have slammed some unscrupulous wholesalers of basic goods who have come up with a three-tier pricing regime saying Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha should quickly convene a meeting with the business community as directed by the President Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa in order to stop the madness.

President Mnangagwa last Thursday expressed concern over the arbitrary price increases and directed the responsible minister to meet the business community over the issue.

In Gweru, a snap survey conducted by our news crew revealed that some cash barons were now taking advantage of the crisis by hoarding basic goods from traditional wholesalers before they set up their mini-wholesale outlets.

A case of 10 X 2kg sugar packs, which cost between $17.50 and $17.75 at wholesalers is now being sold for different prices for US dollars, bond notes or swipe.

At one wholesale shop, along Fourth Street, a case of 10 X 2kg sugar packs was going for $15.50 when one is buying using US dollars and $16.90 when using bond notes.

They were not accepting swipe.

Retailers interviewed said there were many wholesale shops that were sprouting in Gweru with the owners out to mop cash.

“These wholesale shops belong to some cash barons who go to chain wholesalers like N Richards and Gain Cash and Carry where they then buy all the products on demand using swipe.

“They then re-sell those products at a cheaper wholesale price but only accepting cash,” said Mr Richard Mwale, who runs some grocery shops in Mkoba suburb.

Another retailer, Mr Godfrey Karimazondo of TinMac Trading, said wholesale shops run by cash barons should be investigated.

“After selling their products for cash, they then approach people in desperate need of cash to make a bank transfer but there will be a certain percentage charged. This is what they are doing and they should be investigated,” he said.