When President
Emmerson Mnangagwa
took over power in
Zimbabwe in November
2017, a school teacher
employed by the
government was earning
about US$500.00 a month,
an amount that, although
not sufficient, could meet the
basic needs.
Zimbabwe’s
economy from a
human rights
perspective
At the end of October 2017, the
Consumer Council of Zimbabwe
(CCZ) estimated the food basket at
$146,12 per month, an amount
that was not affordable for the
generality of Zimbabweans as
characterised by the income of
teachers.
Four years later, an October 2021
teacher’s payslip has a net salary
of ZWL16,000, equivalent to just
89 US dollars (based on the
parallel market rate).
this is seen in the continued price
increases in retail shops.
According to CCZ, in September, a
low-income earning urban family
of six required approximately $41
235,93 (about 230 USD) to sustain
its monetary needs per month.
ordinary Zimbabwean.
In August 2021, inflation was at
4,2 percent before increasing to
4,7 percent in September 2021 and
The grocery needs as at September in October, there was a significant
2021 were at about $16 498,65
jump to 6.4 percent.
(about 87 US dollars), according to With salaries of the majority
the Consumer Council of
workers remaining stagnant, the
Zimbabwe (CCZ).
situation has remained dire for the
The prices of basic commodities
have significantly gone up recently
with a two-litre bottle of Cooking
Oil going up by 90 percent to ZWL
In October, the month-on-month
625, from ZWL 329, a 10 kg bag of
inflation went up to 6.4 percent,
Mealie-Meal going up to ZWL
the highest ever since August 2020 1,015, from ZWL 550 in the past
when it hit the 8.4 percent mark.
month. A 2kg packet of rice now
costs ZWL 515.00, up from ZWL
October became the third
consecutive time monthly inflation 225.00
has been on an upward trend and