Year-on-year inflation as measured by the all-items Consumer Price Index, shot up to 4,9% after gaining 0, 7% points on the November rate of 4,2 %.
Month-on-month inflation was 0,2% after shedding 0,3% points on the November rate of 0,5%.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) yesterday expressed concern over the recent accommodation rental hikes during the first month of 2012.
The consumer watchdog body said a mini-random survey conducted in Mbare, Kambuzuma, Highfield, Tynwald North, Chitungwiza, Glenview, Kuwadzana and Mufakose, showed rentals had increased by an average of 20-30 % resulting in average rent for high-density suburbs being $80 per room from $50.
“Such increases come at the backdrop of removal of duty on all imported basic commodities, while local products are still expensive because of low capacity utilisation and poor salaries of the general Zimbabwean population,” CCZ said.
“This puts extra pressure on consumers pockets, who have also had to bear with increase in school fees and purchase of uniforms, which only makes their lives more stressful.”
