The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) John Panonetsa Mangudya has reiterated that bond coins and notes are still legal following numerous reports that some traders are no longer accepting them.
In an exclusive interview with ZBC News, Mangudya urged members of the public to treat as fake news social media reports claiming that bond notes are no longer acceptable. He said:
People should have trust with our money, it is disheartening for some people to spread such lies and misinforming the public, I have seen some women circulating information that the bonds notes are no longer acceptable, this is fake news which should not be accepted because the notes still have its value.
My assurance is that the bond notes are still legal tender, the two, five, ten and twenty notes are still legal tender which can be used interchangeably.
I am aware the money is acceptable in all big shops, while those who are nearer to the banks can go and deposit and get new notes.
Finance and Economic Development Minister, Mthuli Ncube recently told Parliament that bond notes remain a medium of exchange but will be phased out gradually and replaced by the new notes.
The rejection of bond notes and coins by shops and businesses gathered pace after the government announced measures to partially redollarise the economy.