Jane Mlambo| Government’s move to lift the ban on importation of basic commodities was meant to punish local industries who were seen to be sabotaging the economy by unilaterally creating ‘artificial shortages’ and hiking prices, a source within government has said.

Following yesterday’s cabinet meeting, minister of information, publicity and broadcasting services, Monica Mutsvangwa said government had taken note of the hardships the general population was facing due to shortage of basic commodities and price hikes.

“We have therefore resolved to in the meantime open borders to allow people and companies with free money to import goods which were banned under SI 122,” she said.

According to a government source, the cabinet felt that local industries were sabotaging the economy hence the decision to open borders for imports which in most cases are cheaper than locally produced commodities.

“When government enacted SI 64 of 2016 followed by SI 122, the idea was to protect local industries from foreign products which in most cases are cheaper and better in terms of quality, then the government felt that the same industry they protected and helped capacitating is now working against them,” the source said.

The source added that local industries will now be forced to start producing again to save themselves from closing because by the beginning of next week, South African commodities will already be flooded in Zimbabwe as major retailers are already looking to restock their almost empty shelves.