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Let us fight black market
The Herald, 30 December 2005
Joice Dube.
EDITOR —— I am concerned about the prevalence of black market practices in our beloved country.
The fact that foreign currency and fuel are easily obtainable on the black market cannot be condoned.
But this is understandable and explainable because, firstly, the country is not generating enough exports to bring in adequate foreign currency following the imposition of illegal economic sanctions by the West; and, secondly, we do not have petroleum deposits, thus, necessitating importation of 100 percent of our fuel requirements with the scarce foreign currency. This is worsened by Zimba-bwe’’s landlocked position, among other factors.
My biggest worry, however, is about the scarcity of sugar and flour. Are these two commodities also imported?
They are not found in shops but are plentiful on the black market, in many cases just outside on the verandas of supermarkets.
Furthermore, some houses have been turned into warehouses for storing sugar and flour.
At Sekusile Shopping Centre, in Nkulumane, Bulawayo, it appears the black market is now legal. Who is to blame? Where are our law enforcement agents?
I would like to appeal to our female Senators to come to our rescue because it’’s women who are bearing the brunt of these exploitative practices, which are exacerbating poverty in the nation.
The majority of the populace is failing to make ends meet while a few unscrupulous individuals are profiteering.
Could it be that the task of eradicating the black market is too heavy for both the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Bulawayo City Council?
Isn’’t it high time that we, as residents, formed our own anti-black market brigades to conduct raids against these greedy people?
Food for thought.
Bulawayo.
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