By Own Correspondent| The State Media reported that 10 out of 37 illegal currency dealers arrested in Harare under “Operation Dzosai mari” on separate occasions were convicted for the offences and surrendered their money to the State.

The majority of the offenders were sentenced to community service.

The remaining 27, who are still on trial, were granted bail ranging between $100 and $200 depending on the amount of money they were found in possession with.

The 10 appeared on separate records before magistrates Mrs Rumbidzai Mugwagwa and Mr Nyasha Vhitorini for contravening the Exchange Control (Amendment) Regulations, 2017 (No 5), which criminalises the illegal trading in foreign currency.

One Charity Mugoni (22) was sentenced to eight months in prison. Four months were suspended for five years on condition she does not commit a similar offence within that period. The remaining four months were set aside on condition she performs 140 hours of community service. Mugoni had her cash that included R2 220, $405 bond notes and $150 United States dollars forfeited to the State.- StateMedia