GOVERNMENT will not hesitate to take punitive measures against unscrupulous businesses with a penchant for effecting unjustified price increases on basic commodities to cause public suffering, a Cabinet Minister has warned.

Speaking to The Sunday Mail, Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu said Government felt betrayed by some businesses driven by greed.
This comes in the wake of an upsurge in prices of basic commodities in the recent weeks.

Said Minister Ndlovu; “We have tried our best in avoiding interfering in the pricing system but we are realising that they (businesses) are not helping Government’s efforts in trying to revive this economy.

“All we do is to create an environment for them (to operate), but I believe the same is not passed onto the consumer because the consumer is the hardest hit.
“Government has done a lot, through subsidies to the business community and the expectation being that they will keep their prices within reasonable limits, but what’s happening (price hikes) doesn’t make sense.”State media