Shelves are beginning to run empty as cash crisis deepens in the country, a survey in Zimbabwe’s large supermarkets can reveal.
Just like during the 2008 horrific time, that no one could even want to think of again, where by supermarkets were empty and people could wait on a queue for the whole day only to buy a loaf of bread, people are afraid that the same scenario might recur again.
A survey on Zimbabwe’s large supermarkets has revealed that the country might not only be heading for a deeper cash crisis, but a repeat of 2008, where shelves ran empty of basic foods, is looming.
People could be seen buying goods in bulk with some saying they are preparing for the worst. Upon investing the story, I found others shopping in bulks and I had to know why?
“When I think of what I went through in 2008, I just want to be prepared for anything. The cash crisis situation is not improving, so tomorrow is not promised. I just want to be ready for anything, just in case the situation worsens, I should have my groceries in full stock” said one the shopper I found shopping at some supermarket in the Harare.
Foods like cooking oil, mealie-meal and other basic foods are starting to become scarce in shops.
Zimbabweans seem to have gone into panic mode ever since the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe announced the coming of bond notes, which are meant to alleviate cash shortages.
Shoppers have of late resorted to “hoarding” and stocking food reserves fearing the economic situation could worsen in the coming days.
As shown by the long queues at banks where people are waiting for more than 12 hours for withdrawals and most of the ATMs of the country’s big banks are now closed down.
As I visited banks and witnessed long queues, I spoke to other people who have registered their agony blaming the announcement of bond notes, which was recently made by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, Dr Mangudya, and being expected to start circulating in August this year.
The introduction of the notes has been met with scepticism as a large number of people equate them to Bearer cheques which worsened the economic situation between 2005 and 2009, before the introduction of a multi-currency system.
The government seem to turn a deaf ear to the out cries of the Zimbabwe’s children as they are sending messages of resisting bond notes which are forth coming.
My query is, Dr Mangudya mentioned it that the bond notes will be backed by $200 million dollars which they are getting as a loan from AFRIEX bank, why the government can’t put that amount for circulation.
