Concerns over widespread food shortages deepened after a government report on Tuesday showed Zimbabwe would fail to meet its targeted harvest this year, further highlighting the plight of an economy gripped by hyper-inflation.

"Maize is there [in Zambia] ... but we are having problems moving it," Mugabe told about 8000 party supporters during a campaign rally in Mahusekwa, a rural settlement 70km south of the capital Harare.

"We sought permission from the Zambian government to send our people to load the maize into trucks because we have already paid for it," said Mugabe.

"We have 150,000 tonnes in Zambia and more than 300,000 tonnes in Malawi and a few thousands from South Africa. We have an emergency because we have areas that face shortages."

Mugabe also promised to tackle escalating prices of basic goods, review the salaries of teachers who frequently strike over low pay, and give more equipment to farmers resettled under a controversial land reform programme.

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Price hikes 'undermining' Zim government

In another story, President Mugabe accused businesses on Wednesday of hiking prices to turn voters against him ahead of presidential elections later this month.

"They keep raising and raising prices, and we wonder whether they want to raise the prices until the prices reach heaven," Mugabe told thousands of villagers at a campaign rally in Mahusekwa, about 70 kilometres (about 43 miles) south-east of the capital Harare.

"Some are doing it for the elections saying: 'Let's make life hard for the people so that they cry and blame it all on Mugabe's government.

"Getting 1,000% profit. That's not profit. That's profiteering which is condemned in the bible."

Mugabe admitted Zimbabweans were facing numerous problems, like food shortages, saying his government had formed emergency committees to expedite food distribution.

Zimbabweans go to the polls on March 29 to elect a president, legislators, senators and local councillors.

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[7 Mar 2008 12:06]

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