The ManicaPost
Kudakwashe Chidziya and Nyasha Mapasa Business Correspondents
MUTARE residents have added their voices to concerns over unscrupulous EcoCash agents who are charging exorbitant premiums to customers intending to cash out mobile money.
Residents interviewed welcomed this week’s decision taken by EcoCash, which is one of Econet’s biggest business units, to suspend over 4 000 of its agents who were allegedly participating in the unfair dealings.
Residents expressed disdain over the cost of cashing out on plastic money that has effectively eroded people’s earnings.
“EcoCash is a convenient platform though some scrupulous agents have taken it to their own advantage. Here in Mutare the average ‘rate’ is 30 to 35 percent. The unjustified premiums are costing us a lot and we are not happy,” said Neria Ruvheneko.
“Prior to these acts of extra charges, EcoCash operated well and the recent move to ban those involved in these dealings will take us back to the good old days. I appreciate the strategic move by EcoCash to suspend the corrupt agents who were milking on the little we have,” said Melody Chingwaro. The cost of making a withdrawal was now too high but with the suspension of some agents, we believe it will work to our convenience. We had resorted to the use of plastic money since EcoCash options were now expensive,” said Buxton Kufuyawanza.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission revealed recently that it was investigating EcoCash agents while the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe indicated that it would increase cash to improve the cash circulation.
Entrepreneur and owner of Warthog Timbers John Rutope said more initiatives should be done by EcoCash to create a favourable business environment.
“The corruption involved in premium charges by some agents is now a matter of concern for both business and ordinary people. There is need for policy shift to govern and monitor agents. EcoCash must implement punitive measures to guard against the premium charges scandal which has affected our business operations,” he said.
