STAFF REPORTER
Zimbabwe’s central bank governor John Mangudya has authorised Money Transfer Agencies (MTAs) to start operating with effect from Wednesday to allow for the receipt of foreign currency remittances which cannot be transacted on any digital or electronic platforms.
Most financial services had closed their banking halls as part of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Zimbabwe has so far reported 10 cases, including one death.
The latest development followed a directive from President Emmerson Mnangagwa who ordered the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to ensure that money transfer services are accessible to the public during the national lock down period.
Mnangagwa said the lock down has increased people’s dependence on remittances from their relatives abroad because livelihoods in the informal sector have been disrupted.
“MTAs with branches in retail outlets shall with effect from Wednesday 8,2020 operate daily within the timeliness prescribed for opening of retail outlets or shops and MTAs owned by banks and those with own banking halls and branches outside banks and retail outlets or shops shall open for business three times a week that is Tuesday to Thursday between 0900hrs and 1500hrs,” Mangudya said.
