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Vol 37 No 6

Published 15th March 1996


Zimbabwe

Against the grain

Mixing privatisation and public policy in food supply is a recipe for scandal and high prices

Scams, scandals, sackings and rumours of starvation surround the Grain Marketing Board's transition from public control to the arena of market forces. General Manager Renson Gasela was put on 'indefinite suspension' late last year. To cut costs and increase efficiency, some 3,000 employees are expected to be let go by the end of March. The appointment of a new managing director is eagerly awaited. He will have to sort out a real mess. Meanwhile, maize prices have soared as the elections approach; food is so short in a few districts that the government-owned Herald newspaper reports that many people are dying of hunger and malaria.

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