By Tendai Matunhu
National Business Council of Zimbabwe (NBCZ) Founder President and Executive Chairman Keith Guzah yesterday issued a letter to Ecocash following the outrageous Ecocash charges that are being charged by Ecocash Agents and warned Ecocash that what its Agents are doing is undermining efforts President Emmerson Mnangagwa is advocating for.
In a letter that was addressed to Ecocash Chief Executive Officer Ms Natalie Jabangwe, Guzah highlighted how the Agents are eroding Ecocash balances by charging up to 60% on cashing out which he said has caused untold suffering to Zimbabweans.
Part of the letter reads, “As the Chief Executive officer presiding over the single most used financial platform it is incumbent upon you to ensure that these unscrupulous extortionists masquerading as Ecocash Agents stop perpetuating this madness that is crippling our economy.”
Guzah reminded Ecocash of President Mnangagwa’s statement to Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) of allowing them to give their views, recommendations and solutions to the interest of the majority and to consider uplifting people’s lives.
“As a member of President Mnangagwa’s PAC, I am sure that you aware of the President’s position regarding the welfare of our people. I will take this opportunity to remind you that during the inauguration of the PAC of which you were part of, President Mnangagwa said, “We must proffer our views, recommendations and solutions alive to the interests of the majority. Let us give due regard to the undeniable need to uplift the quality of life of the millions of our people throughout the country.” He further challenged you to be informed by the hope of a better and more prosperous tomorrow,” said Guzah.
He further highlighted that what Ecocash is doing undermines the efforts President Mnangagwa is advocating for. Guzah said the continued impoverishment of people by Ecocash fly in the face of a nation that seeks to establish a middle-class economy 2030.
In the letter Guzah went on to call upon Ecocash to reign in its Agents within 48hours of receiving the letter and failure of which NBCZ would convene an emergency meeting of all progressive empowerment organisations and stakeholders to chart the way forward.
This letter comes after Ecocash Agents have started charging people for cashing out their monies of which the charges are now ranging between 50% and 60% of amount per transaction. To note is that Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) announced that it would be investigating Ecocash Agents for manipulating the cash ecosystem to their advantage.
