Staff writer
Commuters in Harare have called on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to redress the issue of shortage circulation of zig notes which is being experienced in the capital city.
Speaking to The Blast, commuters who use buses to and from the Central Business District (CBD) said shortage of the Zig notes, which are normally given as change is inconveniencing them.
Buses from the city’s high density area charge 20 zig which is equivalent to US $0.50.
Other kombis from residential places near the CBD charge the same anount.
“There is a crisis due to the shortage of zig notes on the market.When boarding commuter buses or kombis, you pay a dollar expecting to be given 20 zig note as change.You will be forced either to buy something equivalent to your change which is out of your budget..something must be done as the zig notes are now in short supply in the market,” said a commuter from Glen Norah A suburb.
A survey by The Blast has revealed that some enterprising people have formed ‘thriving’ tuckshops in commuter buses selling sweets and confectionery to commuters who are forced to buy something as a result of the change crisis.
A survey by The Blast has also revealed that the Zig notes shortage is not confined to the public transport sector alone but is also affecting formal and in formal businesses in the CBD.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) acknowledged a shortage of ZiG notes and said it is taking steps to address it, including increasing ZiG circulation and working with financial institutions. The RBZ also plans to improve the quality and design of ZiG banknotes in line with international standards.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) recently announced a bold new strategy to increase the circulation of the Zimbabwean currency, ZiG, as part of a broader effort to tackle persistent currency shortages and reduce over-reliance on the United States dollar.
The initiative, which forms a key component of the central bank’s ongoing monetary policy reforms, seeks to improve access to the local currency and promote its use in everyday transactions. The RBZ says enhancing the availability of ZiG is expected to help address pricing distortions fuelled by US dollar dominance, rebuild confidence in the financial system, and create a more stable and predictable economic environment.