ILLEGAL money changers are slowly coming back to the city
centre in Bulawayo while a majority are now operating from residential areas as
the 21-day national lockdown entered Day 9 yesterday.
The money changers, in blatant defiance of the lockdown
directive for people to stay at home, have started pushing street forex rates
up again. Government last week allowed businesses to trade in forex and pegged
the US dollar at 1:25.
At the time, street rates were as high as 1:43 for
electronic transfers and due to absence of money changers on the street, they
went as low as 32 but had risen to around 39 yesterday.
The lockdown which started last week on Monday, is meant to
mitigate against the spread of Covid-19 which has infected more than 1,3
million people globally and killed over 78 000.
In Zimbabwe, 10 have been infected and one has died. The
shutdown entails that citizens should only leave home for essential movements
like seeking health services, buying food and medicines.
However, the illegal money changers who do not constitute
essential services have started coming back to the streets.
Some of them are now operating in western suburbs as most
citizens are not getting into the central business district.
Over the past few days, The Chronicle has observed that the
number of illegal money changers is increasing by the day.
In the central business district, most of them were
operating from cars in their main spots including areas surrounding Tredgold
Buildings, popularly known as the World Bank for money changers. Some of them
were operating along Leopold Takawira Avenue between Fort Street and Joshua
Mqabuko Nkomo Street while others were operating along Jason Moyo Street
between 8th and 9th Avenues.
Another spot that had illegal money changers was along
George Silundika Street between 10th and 11th Avenues.
At Entumbane and Nkulumane the illegal money changers are
taking advantage of increased traffic of people visiting the suburban shopping
malls to buy groceries among other things. They are said to be also targeting
diaspora remittances after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe instructed
international money transfer agencies to start operating from today.
An illegal money changer who spoke on condition of
anonymity said only a few money changers were operating.
“This is our way of survival. We have no option but to
return to the streets. How come some people are going out to buy groceries. If
we do not do this we will starve with our families,” said the illegal currency
dealer.
Another one said they were getting their float from Harare
but only trusted traders were being given the money as some have come up with
“stories” during the 21-day lockdown period.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said
police officers also observed that the money changers were coming back to the
streets, defying Government lockdown measures.
“As we were doing our lockdown campaigns in the central
business district, we observed that Osiphatheleni were coming back to the
streets. We ordered those who were in their cars to leave town and comply with
Government’s directive on lockdown. We will continue conducting raids on them,”
said Insp Ncube.
“We have realised that they are taking advantage of the
fact that some members of the public would be coming into town for essential
services. These illegal money changers also want to take advantage of those
coming into town.” Chronicle
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