Illegal forex dealer, client fined

AN illegal forex dealer from Bulawayo and her client who were caught in the act of exchanging money have each been fined $50.

Police on patrol pounced on Stella Nhamoinesu (34) from Njube suburb and her client, Ntandoyenkosi Mloyi (40) from Cowdray Park suburb while they were exchanging money along 10th Avenue between Fort Street and Herbert Chitepo Street last Wednesday.

The duo pleaded guilty to dealing in currency before Bulawayo magistrate, Mr Franklin Mkhwananzi.

The magistrate fined each of them $50 and the money found in their possession was forfeited to the State.

“Each of you will pay a fine of $50 on or before April 20 or serve 20 days in prison. The USD $40, $180 bond notes and R50 is thereby forfeited to the State,” said Mr Mkhwananzi.

Prosecuting, Mr McLean Mkhwananzi said the duo entered into the transaction after Mloyi approached Nhamoinesu to have her US dollars changed to bond notes.

“On March 28 at around 11:15AM, Bulawayo Central Police officers were on patrol. The officers saw accused one (Nhamoinesu) sitting, touting for money changing customers using vernacular language saying, ‘ Asitshintshe makhiwa,’” he said.

“After a while, accused two (Mloyi) approached accused one and gave her cash in US dollars. In exchange Nhamoinesu gave Mloyi Zimbabwean bond notes. A search was conducted and accused persons were found in possession of US$42, $180 bond notes and R50.” — @ NyarieBakie