Vision 2030 under threat

THERE has been a declaration of an all-out war on black market and new measures for mobile money operators. More action than talk and empty threats is required.

The movers and shakers of the black market foreign currency rate are the big businesses and individuals with lots of money.

The monetary authorities should focus on all money transfer platforms, including internal bank transfers and RTGS.

The Government knows full well the main character of most of our businesses and the character of most of our urbanites.

If the Government believes that suasion is the magic word for taking businesses and corrupt people aboard to solve our economic problems, then we are not going to win this war.

Vision 2030, a brainchild of the Second Republic, is under threat.

It is now just nine and a half years before 2030.

What will we tell those who doubt it? Please let us deal with the vice that we know Government has the capacity to.

It is possible to attain this vision. Hurdles need crossing along the way and dealing with the illegal foreign currency exchange nonsense is one such obstacle.

Dilly-dallying is the surest way of eroding people’s confidence.

If the foreign currency rate is rising, it means there is demand from people with local currency.

We have people with so many Zimbabwe dollars that they would like to dispose and buy US dollars.

What would be the effect of increasing the same Zimbabwe dollars in circulation vis-a-vis the people’s appetite for US dollars.

If people’s salaries are hardly increased, it means businesses, both formal and informal, are fuelling illicit money trading.

That is dangerous, not only for our economy, but for State security.

If one looks at the State of our economy and the wealth certain individuals hold, there is no correlation.

If the RBZ Financial Intelligence Unit does not wake up, we will soon regret as a country.

Masaisai.