Mthuli Ncube’s argument that inflation is not as high as claimed can find symphasers, but it is a technical argument which ignores realities as felt by Zimbabweans.

The basis of his argument is that we should compare ‘like with like’ (which is statistically logical), suggesting that the baseline data we have been using erroneously takes USD prices from say 2018 and compare then with RTGS prices in 2019! He insists we should compare USD prices in 2018 and USD prices now. ONLY that he forgets that it is the same government that he serves that started the 1:1 fictitious parity between USD and RTGS. That fictious 1:1 parity between USD and RTGS became a default baseline.

Using it as a baseline for inflation becomes logical. In people’s lives the goverment made comparing RTGS and USD a comparison of “like with like”! When the government scrapped the USD, it DIDN’T adjust and rate the new RTGS incomes to USD.

Which suggested that moving from USD incomes to RGTS was moving from ‘like to like’. This is what unleashed the inflationary rollercoster. If Mthuli were to be granted his claims of faulty baseline data, workers also would claim faulty baseline incomes on the change over from USD to RTGS. He cannot have his cake and eat it too! Mcdonald Lewanika Maxwell Sibanda Maxwell Saungweme Dzikamai Francis Bere Discent Hon Criss Freeman Chari Arnold Rangarirayi Chamunogwa Thulani Collins Mswelanto Edgar Gweshe Kumbirai Mafunda