Authorities have blamed the crisis on targeted sanctions imposed by Western powers over two decades ago although evidence of the destructive force of poor governance are visible across markets. The Zimbabwe Independent reported last month that drastic production cuts due to poor planning in the energy sector had drained US$500 million from the mining industry in the past year. Banking sector top-lines plummeted by about 50% during the first half of this year, due to complications emanating from a troubled currency and hyperinflation.