KATAVI Regional Commissioner, Mwanamvua Mrindoko, has condemned the actions of some meat traders who increased the price of meat without following proper procedures, raising it from 10,000/- to 12,000/- per kilogramme. The traders had also encouraged their colleagues to stop slaughtering cattle until the new price was accepted.

Speaking at a meeting she convened with the traders over the weekend, Mrindoko ordered them to revert to the old price to avoid negatively impacting citizens, while the government conducts an assessment of the reasons behind the price increase.

"These days, we have indicative prices, just as we do for fuel and sugar. Raising prices suddenly without consultation is a threat to the security of the region and the nation. Let’s stick to the price of 10,000/-," said Mrindoko.

The Regional Commissioner also pointed out that the meat traders' sector lacks a constitution, guidelines, or regulatory procedures, which means the leadership of the industry is not legally recognised.

"There is no constitution, no guidelines, no legal registration. I have officially suspended the current leadership, and regional and district experts will meet to decide whether a constitution, registration, and new elections are needed," she emphasised.

Some of the traders explained that they were forced to increase prices due to a shortage of cattle in the market and the high cost of purchasing them.

"A cow we used to buy for 300,000/- now costs us between 800,000 and 1,000,000/-. We have not made a profit. But since the government has intervened, we will lower the price back to 10,000/- starting tomorrow," said one trader.

Annastazia Gabriel, a customer, thanked the government for its intervention, stating that the price drop will help consumers and small-scale entrepreneurs like food vendors.

Small-scale traders noted that the price increase had severely affected their businesses, especially those who sell soup and chapati, as many customers could no longer afford to buy from them.