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Zimbabwe unleashes police, intelligence services on people rejecting new ZiG currency
A month after the launch of the gold-backed ZiG currency in Zimbabwe, the government has set up Gestapo-like surveillance mechanisms to catch those who reject the new money.
Addressing the country’s liberation veterans in Bulawayo on Saturday, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube urged them to declare war on those allegedly against the currency.
“You fought for the independence of this country, you have to fight for this new currency now,” he said.
In recent years, war veterans have played a militant role in supporting the regime and enforcing its policies.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Financial Intelligence Unit and Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission each conduct separate operations to enforce the adoption of ZiG.
National police spokesman Paul Nyathi has so far told the media that 224 alleged illegal currency traders or money changers have been arrested and 90 bank accounts have been frozen.
Last week, a deal landed a teacher in jail over allegations of illegal money trading.
Albert Nyambara, 37, an elementary school teacher, unsuspectingly offered his bank card to get undercover police detectives to buy groceries most in ZiG, but at a U.S. dollar rate.
According to the police charge sheet, “accused person who approached the detectives who loaded a trolley with several groceries … on approaching detectives, the accused indicated that he had a ZiG in Cabs Bank account and intended to swipe in exchange for US dollars at an offered rate of Zig14.11 per US$1 and in addition, he offered US$5 as a token of appreciation.”
He was followed outside the supermarket where he was arrested.
The news of such police operations saw money changers switch to WhatsApp and refuse to deal with strangers.
To reassure people, Nyathi said the police force does not operate inside supermarkets.
No sacred cows
Neville Mutsvangwa – the son of Monica Mutsvangwa, minister of women’s affairs, and her husband, former presidential adviser Chris Mutsvangwa – was arrested on charges of illegal trade in foreign currency, cash trafficking, money laundering and unlawful possession of a Starlink router and antenna.
Together with two friends, Elias Majachani and Simbarashe Tichingana, they were denied bail and will appear in court on May 30.
However, Mutsvangwa’s parents claimed the arrest was politically motivated and linked to factional infighting in the ruling Zanu-PF party.
The arrest divided many with some arguing that the courts were strict, others saying the law should not be selective.
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