Zimbabwe's inflation breaches 1000%

Zimbabwe's inflation breaches 1000%

• Inflation data mystery deepens

• Zim abruptly postpones inflation data release

• Zimbabwe bank rate increased

• Mugabe predicts economic growth

• Zim inflation vaults to record 913%

• Coca Cola dries up in Zimbabwe

• Zimbabwe inflation knocks on 800%

• Zim introduces $50 000 bill

• Zimbabwe army chief fears mass unrest

• Gono: Zimbabwe 's inflation to peak at 800%

• Patrick Mlambo: A 100 reasons why Gono should resign

• Gono's 'sleepless nights' over inflation

• Gono fighting a losing battle

• Gono, the Zimbabwean Napoleon

• Patrick Mlambo: The small minds in charge of our economy

• Chido Makunike: Overcoming the 'Messiah Complex'

By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWE'S annual inflation stormed to a record 1,042.9 percent in April, surging into four figures for the first time, official figures showed on Friday.

The world's highest inflation rate is the product of an economic meltdown also marked by shortages of foreign currency, fuel and food and rising unemployment.

The data had been due for release on Wednesday, but that was abruptly cancelled and CSO officials would not say what had caused the delay.

The CSO said on a monthly basis, the consumer price index leapt by 21.1 percent from 19.8 percent in March as prices increased on an almost daily basis.

Analysts said the economic crisis was heaping pressure on President Robert Mugabe's 26-year rule while the opposition has raised the stakes by calling for peaceful anti-government mass protests.

Scarce fuel supplies have pushed up transport costs, school fees have more than doubled while house rentals have surged following the government's controversial clean-up operation last year, which demolished homes and left thousands without shelter.

The inflation is playing havoc with the finances of ordinary Zimbabweans, who must often go shopping with huge wads of cash for simple purchases that can cost millions of Zimbabwe dollars.

The central bank last month raised its key interest rate to 800 percent to put brakes on spiralling inflation.

Analysts say the government would have to borrow or print money to finance a 300 percent salary hike awarded to civil servants and soldiers ahead of the planned opposition protests.

Mugabe has previously said his government will print money to shore up the economy and says sabotage by the West, led by former colonial power Britain in retaliation for the seizures of land from white commercial farmers, has fanned Zimbabwe's crisis - Reuters
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
newsdesk@newzimbabwe.com