Mugabe announces anti-inflation plan

HARARE, Zimbabwe, July 18 (UPI) -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has announced a plan to distribute low-cost basics to the public, a move he said would end runaway inflation.

Mugabe blamed business owners for inflation that has made Zimbabwe's currency virtually worthless, the Zimbabwe Herald, an official government newspaper reported.

"That is the message but when the message is not heeded and those who have adopted the habit of exploiting the masses continue to do so, then, of course, we will say the message has not been heeded and there are other ways of getting them to heed the message, but behind doors and behind bars," Mugabe said.

The government announced Wednesday that inflation was running at 2.2 million percent annually, the BBC reported. The figure was the first official one in several months.

Zimbabwe has been in an economic tailspin for several years. Outside economists blame the hyperinflation on Mugabe's decision to compensate for other economic problems by printing more money.