Zimbabwe govt denies crisis as inflation jumps to 840 per cent

Many Zimbabweans have seen their savings evaporate and still struggle to afford basic commodities


AFP August 15, 2020
Southern African nation has been grappling with more than a decade of hyperinflation. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

HARARE:

Zimbabwe's annual inflation rate soared to almost 840 per cent in July, the statistics agency said on Saturday, adding to the country's desperate economic woes even as the government refused to acknowledge a growing sense of crisis.

The southern African nation has been grappling with more than a decade of hyperinflation triggered by economic mismanagement under former president Robert Mugabe, who was ousted by a military coup in 2017.

Many Zimbabweans have seen their savings evaporate and still struggle to afford basic commodities such as sugar and the staple cornmeal, with corruption and poverty rife.

The figures were published shortly after a government statement was issued saying that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had implemented policies "that result in a robust economy" and had kept the country "commendably stable", denying any crisis.

The July inflation rate of 837.53 per cent, which was announced by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency on Twitter, compares with 737.3 per cent in June.

Month-on-month, inflation stood at 35.53 per cent in July, up from 31.66 per cent in June.

The government statement-- published by the state-owned Herald newspaper -- was a response to a letter by Zimbabwe's Catholic Bishops on Friday that deplored a recent crackdown on dissent by Mnangagwa's administration and a deepening crisis in the country.

Last month, the authorities banned protests planned by an opposition politician and deployed the army and riot police in huge numbers to quell them.

Opposition figure Jacob Ngarivhume, who had called for the July 31 protests against alleged state corruption and worsening economic troubles, was arrested 12 days ahead of the strike.

Journalist and documentary filmmaker Hopewell Chin’ono was also detained. They both remain in custody after being denied bail.

More than a dozen protesters, including award-winning author Tsitsi Dangarembga, were arrested on July 31 and later freed on bail. All have been charged with inciting public violence.

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