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 HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - Government-imposed price controls will remain because they bring relief to Zimbabweans from "inexplicable and astronomical" price increases by profiteers, President Robert Mugabe told lawmakers Tuesday at the opening of parliament.
A government order last month to slash prices by around 50 percent to curb inflation has led to acute shortages of staple foods, gasoline and many basics, including matches needed during daily power outages.
Official inflation has soared to 4,500 percent, the highest in the world, but private financial institutions estimate the real inflation rate is closer to 9,000 percent.
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