The ongoing cash shortages look set to persist with the blessing of the government as analysts say the Mugabe regime is using the crisis as a “tool” to control people.

It has been learnt that despite the serious cash squeeze that the country is experiencing, new money has been printed for use by a few within the Mugabe administration. The move is a double-barrelled ploy to fund Mugabe’s cronies and keep back monetary resources from perceived critics and the opposition.

Sources at the Reserve Bank and some commercial banks on Wednesday confirmed knowledge of a scheme by government to control the populace by denial of their hard-earned money. Keeping back money will ensure that people are restricted from movement and travelling in the run up to next March’s crucial elections. Many people working in towns will also find it hard to make the traditional journey to their rural homes this Christmas.

It is understood that trillions of dollars have been injected into countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc, where Zanu PF aligned business interests are thriving. Observers are saying that the government is withholding money in the same manner it has denied Zimbabweans food, grain and seed, to ensure they are perpetually reliant on it for survival.

One company we spoke to said on any given day up to 20% of their workforce is in a bank queue. In addition, government has instructed banks to set a withdrawal limit of a mere Z$5 million – an amount that can hardly buy one a day’s groceries.

The situation has reportedly led to burgeoning corrupt practices as bank tellers are allegedly asking for bribes in order to give customers more money.

Harare resident, Michael Manyota, told Newsreel that practice was “common and unabashed.”

He said: “It’s nothing strange and it’s not hidden. Everyone in this country knows that if you want money, you have to pay the bank teller a little something. Usually you have to pay something like Z$10 million to withdraw a Z$100 million. It is quite obvious that you can’t buy much with Z$5 million. The people thus have no choice but to survive by corrupt means.”