By Heather Buzuzi
Since the introduction of the new currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) earlier last month, bond notes were quickly rejected in flea markets and smaller shops but continued to be used in kombis before being rejected in many towns and communities a short while after.
In Mutare however, commuters are still accepting both the bond notes and the ZiG, with some even preferring bond notes to ZiG.
They are accepting the bond notes at a rate of ZWL$14 000 per USD $1 which means most trips that cost 50c now cost 7000 bond.
Speaking to TellZim News, Manicaland Drivers and Transporters Association (MDATA) official Eddie Mudzimiri said they were accepting bond notes because they are still legal tender as directed by the government.
He also said that bond notes were circulating in their system since the community is accepting them so they were also accepting them.
“We are still accepting bond notes as directed by the government. The government said bond notes are still legal tender and as such we still accept them and we instructed our members to accept them.
“The community is accepting the bond notes so they are just circulating like this,” said Mudzimiri.
Mudzimiri also said using bond notes and ZiG currency makes it easy for them to get change. He added that despite using the two local currencies, they were still failing to meet the demand for change and at times they use vouchers which they give to customers as change and can be used in all their vehicles.
“Though we accept bond notes and ZiG, we are still failing to get enough change and we also introduced the voucher system, so if we do not have bond notes or ZiG we give our customers vouchers as change,” he added.
One commuter conductor who preferred anonymity said they were charging 5Zig per trip or 7000 bond for a distance that costs US$0.50.
However, some operators who ply the Zimunya route are refusing bond notes and instead, are charging USD1 per trip because there is no change.
