The ManicaPost
Post Reporters
MUTARE residents have welcomed Statutory Instrument (SI) 142 of 2019 issued by the Government on Monday, describing it as a timely intervention to curb the abuse of the multi-tier pricing regime by unscrupulous elements.
SI 142 of 2019 marks the end of the multi-currency system as it will see the country reverting to the use of a single currency – the Zimbabwe dollar.
In a survey conducted by The Manica Post, most shops in the Central Business District (CBD) that used to trade in foreign currency had pegged their prices in local currency.
President Mnangagwa said the development marked the country’s return to normalcy and assured Zimbabweans that the Bond note will not be decommissioned.
The development is meant to enhance affordability of goods.
Mr Itai Mtetwa, a resident said: “We are relieved because some businesses were abusing us, especially in pharmacies. We were being forced to buy drugs the elusive USD. It had become difficult for us, and we are happy that Government has come to our rescue. Goods and services were being rated in the greenback, which was not fair to those earning salaries in RTGS.”
Mrs Memory Chitiga, of Dangamvura said prices of goods should fall.
“We hope that prices that were being rated in USD would fall drastically. The goods and services were being priced beyond the reach of many. We hope business will embrace and adhere to the new currency measures,” she said.
Miss Pamela Mbona, of Murambi said Government should first consult the public when making such key policy changes.
“We applaud the move, but I feel we should have been consulted first. Such an important policy change should not take citizens by surprise. We should not be caught unawares,” she said.
“The parallel market rates will tumble as a result, which is a positive development. The re-introduction of bureaux de change is also welcome. At least our safety will be guaranteed. Most countries have their own currencies, and for our economy grow, we should have own currency,” said Mr Simbarashe Mukodza.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Mr Denford Mutashu, said the scrapping of multi-currency was a good move as it would lessen the burden of consumers who earn RTGS but were buying goods in foreign currency.
“Consumers were in a dilemma as goods were being sold in USD in the past months yet they were earning RTGS. The value of their income was being eroded by the multi currency. Now that the multi-currency system has been abolished, we expect the prices of goods to be affordable. We also expect the demand for foreign currency to tumble,” he said.
Mr Ignatius Mutemera said locals were now abusing the multi-currency regime.
He said Government should not print a lot of bond notes.
