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Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
THE Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Cde Judith Ncube has urged residents to shun expensive retail outlets, whom she accused of working towards scuttling efforts by Government to revive the economy.
Cde Ncube made the remarks yesterday at the official opening of Sai Mart in Bulawayo’s Emakhandeni suburb, which is owned by the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Cde Raj Modi.
Cde Ncube pin pointed one retailer — Oceans Supermarket, which she said was charging ridiculous prices.
“Let us shun these expensive retailers and support those that are willing to work with the Government and have heeded the call to adjust prices so that goods and services are affordable. This past week we carried out a survey of shops and we realised that there are still shops that are charging exorbitant prices.
“For instance bread should be $4, if it is expensive then it should at least be $4,10. We discovered that shops like Oceans are selling bread for $5. Therefore I urge you to shun these shops. Let them eat their own bread and products,” she said.
Cde Ncube said she was impressed with Cde Modi’s mission to service the people of Bulawayo.
“Cde Modi has a long history of success, going back in the early years when he first established a retail concern in 1987, which later grew to be a retail chain under the Spar flagship.
“The new Sai Mart currently employs 40 people and is set to grow in the near future. This is a great achievement not only for the business itself and its owners but for the Zimbabwean economy as a whole,” said Cde Ncube.
She said Sai Mart was an example of a financially stable and prudent family brand that was needed in the country.
“Mr Modi has expressed his commitment to maintaining this business approach and principles in the future, remaining a central Zimbabwean wholesaler and retailer, more so in the City of Bulawayo Metropolitan Province,” said Cde Ncube.
Cde Modi, at the official opening, donated hampers to the less privileged people in the community.
The hampers comprised 10kg mealie-meal, 2 litres cooking oil, a bar of soap, sugar and 2kg rice.
@peterkmatika
Online Reporter