Police step up blitz on illegal forex dealers
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police has intensified its blitz against illegal foreign currency dealers and motorists driving unregistered vehicles in a bid to bring sanity on the streets.
A team of police officers has since been deployed, targeting areas where these dealers normally operate.
The Herald last week witnessed a ZRP pick-up truck ferrying officers and patrolling such areas in Harare.
Several dealers were arrested along Sam Nujoma Street, while others are now playing hide and seek with the law enforcement agents.
About 170 illegal foreign currency dealers have so far been arrested countrywide since last week as police intensify the campaign against currency trading which caused volatility in the prices of basic commodities.
Police said they launched the operation against the illegal currency traders because they posed a serious security and economic threat to the country.
On Wednesday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they were conducting the operation together with other relevant stakeholders.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police, having noted that activities by illegal foreign currency dealers were posing a serious security and economic threat to the country, embarked on a countrywide operation meant to enforce Statutory Instrument 122A of 2017, Exchange Control (Amendment) Regulations, 2017 (No. 5), which criminalises the illegal trading in foreign currency,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the operation would continue until there was sanity in all towns and cities.
The arrests also came as President Mnangagwa last weekend said he would invoke the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act to introduce tough regulations to bring currency manipulators to book.
Meanwhile, police said they had increased patrols and stop and search blitz to curb carjacking cases.
This comes after an increase in such cases.
“Motorists are urged to install alarms or tracking systems in their vehicles where possible,” said Asst Comm Nyathi. “We implore motorists not to pick up strangers, especially during the night, as they risk being mugged.”