Twelve suspected money changers have appeared in court in Bindura and Beitbridge over allegations of illegally dealing in foreign currency and the newly introduced ZiG currency.
In Bindura, a group appeared before Regional Magistrate Mr Tenanchi Ndukira and faced charges of contravening exchange control regulations SI 109/1996 which prohibit unauthorized dealing in foreign currency.
They were remanded in custody until Monday for a bail hearing. Among the accused is a popular broadcast salesman who drives a green Toyota Noah.
Prosecutor Mr. Carson Kondiona said investigators on Tuesday noticed that several people approached Samantha Chiongi (22) while she was sitting in the car.
Suspecting that she was dealing in foreign currency, investigators approached her and checked her phone. I sent an Ecocash transaction for ZiG 13 to three different people.
After failing to provide any relevant license allowing her to deal in foreign currency, she was arrested.
At TM Supermarket, Tsitsi Tembo (33) was allegedly seen dealing in foreign currency. The court heard she sent two transactions from ZiG 14 and one from ZiG 28 to three people.
Another accused Lloyd Khama (47) was found in possession of 12 bank cards and made Ecocash transactions at ZiG.
After failing to provide a satisfactory explanation as to why he had so many bank cards, he was arrested.
In Beitbridge, Alfred Muchena (41), Judge Machesane (25), Joseph Kudakwashe Wamambo (36), Martin Chikone (40), Philip Parishi (31) and Lovemore Chivada (35), were arrested in “No to Illegal Forex” process framework. The merchants were also transferred to the local magistrate court. They were arrested from several locations in the city this week.
They were not asked to plead when they appeared before Beitbridge Resident Magistrate, Mr Takudzwa Gwazimba, who remanded them in custody until Monday for bail applications.
During their appearance before the State, Ms Tinayeishe Matenga and Mr Ronald Mogwagwa alleged that at the time of arrest, Muchena was found with R4 000 and US$260, Machisane R4 810 and US$316, Wamambo R2 840 and US$81, and Chikuni R12 670 and US$84, which was Parishi has R205 and US$56 and Chivada has R2600 and US$260. Recently, 65 suspected illegal money changers were arrested in Harare and remanded in custody until Monday to allow the state to summon investigating officers to court to clarify the circumstances surrounding the arrests. Announce
