The country’s largest mobile telecommunications operator who also runs Ecocash have hit back at government over its unilateral decision to ban phone based transactions saying they are regulated by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe which has not issued a directive to that effect.

Below is the full text from Ecocash to its customers.

We are aware of a statement purporting to have been issues by the Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services that purports to ban all mobile money transactions.

However, Ecocash is regulated by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and would naturally expect a directive of that nature and significance to be communicated by the Reserve bank of Zimbabwe.

We urge all our Ecocash users who exceed 10 million Zimbabweans, the majority of whom do not have bank accounts to remain calm and to continue to do your lawful transactions as usual. Should there be changes, we shall give you adequate notice as required by law.