Commuter omnibus operators plying the Chitungwiza to Harare route are charging fares in United States dollars, saying that they need to raise cash to buy fuel which is readily available for those paying using foreign currency.
A single trip from Chitungwiza, which is nearly 30 kilometres from Harare, now costs US$1 or $25 (local currency) hard cash while commuters who using EcoCash have to part with $40.
The kombis are mostly demanding forex during peak hours and the practice started almost a fortnight ago when the central bank announced that the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) could start receiving applications from fuel companies that have free funds for direct imports to be sold in hard currency.
Meanwhile, Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister Marian Chombo said charging in US dollars was illegal as pronounced in Statutory Instrument 212 of 2019. She said:
The SI promulgates the exclusive use of the Zimbabwe dollar for domestic transactions. The Instrument provides for penalties related to contravention of provisions in the Statutory Instrument.
The RTGS dollar and the bond notes and coins are the sole legal tender currencies. Government is seized with ensuring the protection of commuters.
Mainini we are happy you are here I was wondering where are you after that mercy divoce na bambo please I was not awre you are now Deputy to July Moyo in the Local gvt Ministry would you be of any assistance kuti gadzirirawo musha wedu we Hatcliffe Extention waka siiwa na Baba Chombo kuine crisis after close to $4 million us dollars not bond notes was extorted from people in Hatcliffe Extension now there has not been any meanigful development from namley 3 developers who are suppossed to carry out their mandate of servicing the area namley TUTISANI/GAPARE it is noe 10 years since we have been waiting for service delivery from these guys there is no Sewer there is no water but people have already established themselves on the ground.
Money was extorted by people who are wel knonwn in the area please do your level best even after the Land commission no one has been arrested or brought before the courts to answer charges the Barons are still roaming the streets we see them every day romming the streets of Hatcliffe one of them was arrested for 4 years during the old dipensation and was released from jail only after 2 weeks bcz of political connections now I understand he is ithe Cntral Committe how he got there with a Criminal record any one can guess
Just to add another important name to the saga is Pilgrims Housing development owned by Nyasha Chikwinya all these guys the 3 of them are connected to the previous regime