EcoCash says it has so far suspended more than 4 000 of its agents for charging commissions above the stipulated levels.
This follows an outcry by EcoCash customers that the majority of agents are charging a premium of up to 55 per cent to customers in need of cash.
With cash unavailable at banks, coupled with some service providers rejecting electronic money, members of the public have resorted to “buying” cash from EcoCash agents.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ecocash said it does not condone any illicit activities by its agents. The statement read:
EcoCash advises all its agents that it does not condone any illicit activities by agents.
We have consistently maintained this position in our various communication directly to all agents through the various forums we hold across the country.
Any agent charging above the authorised commission levels will be charged accordingly.
We have so far suspended over 4 000 agents and will not hesitate to act accordingly on any reported cases of charging above authorised commission levels outside the EcoCash platform.
Meanwhile, EcoCash agents insist that they no longer get cash from either Econet of Steward Bank forcing them to buy cash from cash barons for resale to members of the public.