AT least 37 illegal foreign currency dealers who were arrested
in Harare under “Operation Dzosai mari” on separate occasions during the past
few days have appeared at the Harare magistrates’ court, with 10 of them being
convicted for the offences and forfeiting their money to the State.
The convicted will also do community service, while the
remaining 27, who are still on trial, were granted bail ranging between $100
and $200 depending on the amount of money they were found in possession of.
They appeared on separate records before magistrates Mrs
Rumbidzai Mugwagwa and Mr Nyasha Vhitorini for contravening the Exchange
Control (Amendment) Regulations, 2017 (No 5), which criminalises the illegal
trading in foreign currency.
The two magistrates said they convicted the illegal foreign
currency dealers because they were sabotaging the country’s economy by
channelling huge sums of cash to unproductive sectors.
They also took note of the fact that while banks were dry,
the illegal traders were very liquid.
Those who have since been convicted had their jail terms commuted
to community service on condition of good behaviour.
Charity Mugoni (22) was sentenced to eight months in prison
and four months were suspended for five years on condition she does not commit
a similar offence within that period.
The remaining four months were set aside on condition she
performs 140 hours of community service.
Mugoni had her cash that included R2 220, $405 bond notes
and $150 United States dollars forfeited to the State.
Other illegal foreign currency dealers convicted included
Shame Tsopotsa, Evelyne Muronzi, Blessing Chindondo, Martha Nyahunde, Jennifer
Chikwiramakomo, Precious Humba, Dominic Basira and Precious Mazivachimwe.
Among those who are still on trial is Tinashe Rondozai (34)
who was found in possession of R129 900, US$4 565 and $1 517 bond notes stashed
in his car.
Garikai Kunaka (32) was arrested and found with US$2 781,
while Francis Dimingo (31) was found in possession of R16 650 and US$3 140.
“Operation Dzosai Mari” is being conducted by the police
together with other stakeholders.
About 170 illegal foreign currency dealers have so far been
arrested countrywide as police intensify the campaign against currency trading
which caused volatility in the prices of basic commodities. Herald
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