Albert Nyambara, a teacher from Marondera, is set to appear in court after being arrested for trying to convert his local salary, paid in ZiG, into US dollars.
In Zimbabwe, teachers and other state employees get part of their pay in US dollars and part in ZiG. Since the US dollar is used for most transactions in Zimbabwe, many people struggle with ZiG, as it’s not accepted everywhere. This forces people to use unofficial dealers to change ZiG into US dollars.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) announced that Nyambara will face a magistrate at the Marondera Magistrates’ Court on September 23, 2024. ARTUZ criticized the system, saying:
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“Zimbabwe uses multiple currencies, but this teacher is being punished for preferring one currency over another. The current system harms ordinary people and benefits the politically connected.”
At the start of August 2024, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe reported that 70% of transactions are in US dollars. However, the government doesn’t accept ZiG for passports or fuel, forcing people to rely on ZiG despite its limited use.
Nyambara, a teacher at Waterloo Primary School in Macheke, was arrested on May 10, 2024, after he tried to exchange ZiG for US dollars. He unknowingly approached undercover police officers posing as currency traders outside N Richards Supermarket in Marondera.
According to police records, Nyambara offered his CABS bank card to buy groceries in exchange for US dollars at a rate of ZiG 14.11 per US $1. He even offered an extra US$5 as a tip. When he tried to use his card to pay for groceries, the officers arrested him.
Nyambara first appeared in court on May 11 and was released on bail. He is being represented by Sakala Associates’ lawyer Makwanya Godfrey.
