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and I think there is a deliberate move on the part of the RBZ to limit money supply, but then what is needed is to inject smaller denominations lower than ZiG$10,” Ncube said.

“People are being forced to purchase goods at a higher price and round figures because there is no change. We need smaller denominations like ZiG$1, ZiG$2.”

Combined Harare Residents Association director Reuben Akili said the unavailability of the ZiG cash had led to overcharging and forced bulk purchases, particularly in the informal sector.

“We have been doing some monitoring on these issues, and we have realised that this has impacted on how people do business,” Akili said.

“ZiG is not available, especially in the markets, vendors and even at the kombis.

“People are being overcharged because they are not able to get the 50 cents change.

“People are also forced to buy something that they do not want due to unavailability of the local currency and this is a serious problem.”

Bankers Association of Zimbabwe chief executive officer Fanwell Mutogo said: “Banks, typically order cash from the central bank based on the demand for cash they anticipate from their customers.

“We are not sure which customers are affected.

“Moreover, customers are encouraged to use digital means of transacting.

“This is part of a broader push towards digitisation, which can help reduce the reliance on physical cash, improve efficiency, and potentially alleviate some of the issues related to cash availability.”

Efforts to get a comment from Mushayavanhu were fruitless as his number went unanswered.

Zimbabwe has been struggling with its currency for more than a decade. The ZiG is the southern African country’s sixth attempt to deliver a functioning local currency since 2008.