Harare – Thousands of Zimbabweans were queuing at banks and currency exchange points across the country on Thursday, some of them sleeping in the lines, in a desperate attempt to obtain cash.
Most are unlikely to be successful as the inflation-ravaged southern African country is experiencing an acute currency shortage.
Travel plans for the holiday period have been badly disrupted and many Zimbabweans are struggling even to buy Christmas presents.
In the capital Harare, people with babies were sleeping in the lines.
ALSO READ | Zimbabwe’s main airport operating without radar
“I have been in the queue since last Thursday,” Shepherd Mabamba told AFP outside a currency exchange office.
“The manager just told us that they have no money so we should come back tomorrow.”
Mabamba said he had no choice but to come back and sleep another night in line.
In August, exchange offices were authorised to sell foreign currency at advantageous rates, leading to them being overwhelmed by clients seeking to benefit.
“The government should simply come up with a plan for the money to be deposited into our bank accounts and we withdraw straight from our accounts,” said Linos Maphosa as he waited in line.
The government-mandated exchange rate for the US dollar is currently about half of the black market rate.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Source: AFP
Picture: Getty Images
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
