Home Affairs Minister threatens to arrest people spreading message that basic commodities will disappear in shops

In a press statement released today, Ignatius Chombo, Home Affairs Minister, threatened to arrest people who created and are spreading a message that says basic commodities will disappear from the shelves. The message also urges people to stock up on basic commodities and this has caused massive panic buying as people fear that Zimbabwe is heading quickly towards 2008 again.

The message that is being responsed to by Home Affairs Minister has been mainly spreading on WhatsApp and here it is:

In the next 3 to 5 days things may get very bad. Stock up any food or other basic commodities you may need. The Inflation rate has gone up to 50 percent it means the prices of stuff will be doubling at least once per day. The minister of finance printed excess bond notes to buy US Dollars off the streets early this week so the market may be flooded with useless money. Most shops may no longer be taking swipe transactions because of this further rise in bond note circulation brace yourself for tough times ladies and gentlemen.

Part of the press statement released by Minister of Home Affairs in response to the above message says:

Spreading alarm and despondency is not an expression of democracy nor is it media freedom. It is a criminal offense and is therefore punishable. In the circumstances, Govemrnent is closely monitoring the press and social media reports in question with a view to taking decisive action to deal a telling blow to the perpetrators of the crime in terms of the laws of the country’s criminal justice system.

Everyone should thus be guided accordingly.

You can read the full press statement below:

PRESS STATEMENT

The Ministry of Home Affair’s attention has been drawn to a sudden spate of irresponsible press and social media reports falsely claiming that there’s chaos in the currency markets that has precipitated widespread panic buying of basic commodities due to their alleged shortage or skyrocketing prices.

It is notable that the running thread of these hyperbolic press and social media reports is their propaganda that the country has suddenly slipped back to the hyperinflationary days of 2008. Of pave concern to the Ministry is that these reports have all the trappings of a politically coordinated criminal agenda by some well-known renegades and malcontents who now seek to disturb the peace in the county to cause alarm and despondency in pursuit of an illegal political programme.

Spreading alarm and despondency is not an expression of democracy nor is it media freedom. It is a criminal offense and is therefore punishable. In the circumstances, Government is closely monitoring the press and social media reports in question with a view to taking decisive action to deal a telling blow to the perpetrators of the crime in terms of the laws of the country’s criminal justice system.
Everyone should thus be guided accordingly.

Hon. Dr I. M. C. Chombo, MP Minister of Home Affairs

Sunday, 24 September 2017