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FOLLOWING Government’s decision to promote financial inclusion and access to forex for small value transactions by members of the public, Zimbabweans can now buy foreign currency from registered bureaux de change.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) monetary policy committee meeting held last month resolved that members of the public wishing to buy foreign currency can approach any registered bureau de change.

Members of the public who produce a national identity card can buy the prescribed maximum amount of US$50 per week at the official RBZ auction exchange rate including a 10 percent commission.

This week’s official RBZ auction exchange rate is at US$1: $86,21 while the black-market rate is between $160-$170 to US$1.

As we reported yesterday, people who spoke to our news crew on Monday welcomed the move, but were quick to highlight their challenges in accessing the hard currency.

Corrupt bureaux de change personnel and security guards are now working in cahoots to charge US$5 for people to jump the queue.

Authorities have facilitated for such corruption by serving only a few customers a day.

One of the customers who spoke to our reporters was Mrs Anna Dube, who had travelled all the way from Zvishavane to Bulawayo and arrived at a bureau de change at 4AM. She was given card number 60 by a security guard when there were less than 20 people in front of her.

“The security guard gave me card number 60, but to my dismay, there were less than 20 people in the queue. We are told that one has to bribe the security guard with US$5 to be given first preference. I wish the RBZ could address that issue,” she said.

Another frustrated customer, Mr Senzi Ncube told our reporters that he had been queuing since last week but to no avail,

“They give us queuing cards by security early morning and when the manager comes, he issues new cards and at the end of the day, you are left out. They only serve 130 people and we urge Government to look into this,” he said.

The list is endless. Corruption has reared its ugly head yet again.

We urge the RBZ monetary policy committee to urgently address this situation which threatens to spoil a most welcome Government programme.

When the RBZ designed the facility, it was obvious that Zimbabweans would jump at the opportunity as a number of businesses and institutions are either demanding US dollars or charging more in local currency.

Landlords, private schools, supermarkets, bars, restaurants and hotels, they all want forex.

This noble initiative by Government must only benefit its intended beneficiaries. Those engaging in unlawful activities must meet the full might of the law.

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission must not wait to be invited to investigate corruption. Officers can be deployed to investigate what ordinary Zimbabweans are going through to access their money.

When it comes to forex, the black-market rate is enough of a corruption headache. These economic saboteurs have no shame and will stop at nothing but arrest.