By OLIVER SAMBOKO
THE PF has warned those that have created commodity price fixing cartels leading to the rising prices of essential goods that they risk being arrested for sabotaging the economy.
PF media director Antonio Mwanza said the cartel should not take Zambians for granted as they are aware that some of the rising essential commodity prices were partially as a result of a cartel taking advantage of the Covid-19 outbreak to make super profits.
His comments come after concerns from consumers over the skyrocketing of prices for essential goods that have gone beyond the reach for most households.
Mr Mwanza also urged the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to take a keen interest in the pricing of every day commodities like sugar, bread and cooking oil.
He noted that Government had taken steps to lower prices through incentives to importers such as the edible crude oil and hoped that the benefits would be passed on to consumers.
Mr Mwanza also noted that although Covid-19 had slowed down the importation of products because of restrictions of movements in various countries, it should not be used as an excuse to increase prices arbitrarily.
He urged the CCPU to be vigilant to ensure consumers are protected not only from price fixing but unnecessary price adjustments.
Mr Mwanza said it was immoral for anyone to take advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to increase prices of essential commodities.
The PF, he said, was aware that there were cartels working with the opposition with the sole purpose of creating an impression that prices were too high.
He said it was surprising that the cost of the same items were markedly different in certain shops compared to major chain stores where prices were lower.
For instance, he said, the cost of sugar and bread was inflated in some outlets when the same could be obtained for half the price.
He said earlier this year, President Edgar Lungu had warned of cartels fixing prices out of reach of ordinary Zambians and this led to an expose of dubious prices of cement.
Mr Mwanza said the cartel’s plot to wreck the economy would not work because the party was alive to these devious activities and will put a stop to it.
His comments come after concerns from consumers over the skyrocketing of prices for essential goods that have gone beyond the reach for most households.
