…despite President’s calls for ‘cashless’ economy
Brighton Chiseva
MASVINGO – While President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged the public to emulate developed countries and adopt electronic payment systems, Masvingo fuel businessman, Phillip Mapfumo has continued with his demands for cash payments at his fuel service station.
Popularly known as ‘Phidza’, Mapfumo runs the DocZine service station that is situated in the industrial areas. He is also believed to be the owner of a chain of other businesses in town under the DocZine stable.
TellZim News reported recently that his fuel business was turning away customers who did not have cash, with Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister, Josaya Hungwe promising to institute an investigation against the business.
There are rumours that DocZine is demanding cash payments for externalisation purposes, with the business having been named as one of the culprits in the President’s list of externalisers which was released in March.
According to the list, the company externalised US$36 778 in the category of funds externalised through payment of goods not received in Zimbabwe.
During his rally at Mucheke Stadium last Friday, Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga took time to encourage the use of plastic money even for minor transactions, saying conditions in the economy demanded that there be a change of approach.local
