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 HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - Cars no longer line up at gas stations because there's no fuel for sale. Gone are the meat, bread and cornmeal that Zimbabweans count on for their meals. Two weeks after the government ordered price cuts in response to the country's rampant inflation, the economy is coming to a standstill.
More than 30 company executives have been arrested for hoarding goods and flouting the price cuts, and several have been fined up to $6,600, court officials said Monday. Among those rounded up were executives of a leading clothing retailer, two directors of Zimbabwe's main food distributor and fast-food chain, and the chief executive of the largest producer of pork products.
The sudden drop in prices had led to panic buying, stampedes and near-riots, leaving shelves bare of staple foods. Witnesses said many shops and suppliers were cleaned out by convoys of ruling party supporters who came in after police and inspectors enforcing the price cuts.
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