By Paul Nyathi|The Confederation Of Zimbabwe Industries CZI, claims that coincidental technical faults at the country’s largest cement makers PPC Zimbabwe and Larfarge are behind the on going shortage of the commodity on the market.

In a real desperate effort to cover up for the shortage which manufactures blamed on the lack of foreign currency to purchase other raw materials from outside the country, Sifelani Jabangwe, president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), an umbrella body for the manufacturing sector in the country, claimed that technical failures were the reason behind the shortage of the cement.

“The shortage of cement could be due to the fact that coincidentally there has been a technical fault at both PPC Ltd and Lafarge,” he told state media.

While PPC Zimbabwe managing director Kelibone Masiyane could not immediately substantiate Jabangwe’s claims, Gweru-based Sino-Zimbabwe Cement said their operations were normal. Its sales and marketing manager, Mr Ibiam Sengwe, said they were producing at 100 percent capacity, which translates to 1 000 tonnes per day.

“We are doing exceptionally well. We are offering unhindered service to our customers. Every type of our cement is available on the market and our production is good,” he said.

The temporary shortage of cement has greatly upset the construction sector and shocked the market at large. The few outlets that have the product are reportedly selling it at double the original price. Most hardware stores that normally sell cement have run out of stock, while prices had increased to between $15 and $20 a bag compared to the recommended retail prices averaging $11.50 for PC and $10 for masonry.

The country has a demand of about 1,3 million tonnes of cement annually and local producers have a combined capacity of producing around 1,6 million tonnes per year.