In an executive order Thursday, the president also increased the power of the National Incomes and Pricing Commission, The Herald, a Harare newspaper, reported. He banned any indexing of prices or salaries to the consumer price index.

Zimbabwe’s economic crisis began when Mugabe seized white-owned farms, gutting one of the country’s major source of exports. He recently dealt with out-of-control inflation by imposing wage and price controls that brought most economic activity to a halt.

The new more stringent regulations can remain in effect for six months by executive order and would then need presidential approval.