Fake notes flood Mupandawana Growth Point

FOUR people have been arrested for allegedly using fake notes in shops and bars at Mupandawana Growth Point in Gutu during the recent Heroes musical gala.
Unsuspecting dealers at the growth point received hundreds of counterfeit notes, mainly US$10 bills, during the gig which attracted thousands of people from across the country.
Police identified the suspects as Never Chaora (40) of St Mary's, Chitungwiza, Phineas Madara (19) of Damofalls, Ruwa, Aaron Ruvengo (27) of Ndakaripei Village, Chimombe communal lands, Gutu, and James Chinaka (36) of Chipesa Village under Chief Serima.
The gala left supermarket and bottle store owners counting losses after receiving fake notes.
The notes are still circulating at the growth point as police investigations continue.
Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero yesterday said fake notes were now a cause for concern. Police suspect revellers from Harare brought the notes.
"We want to warn the public that hundreds of dollars in fake money are circulating at Mupandawana Growth Point right now, but we are still investigating to come up with estimates of the amount of fake money that is in circulation.
"The fake money was discovered during and after the Heroes gala at the growth point and the four suspects were arrested while trying to use the fake money during the gala and most of the fake money is in US$10 denominations."
Insp Zhanero said they had since launched awareness campaigns to warn the public about the fake money.
"We suspect that those who were arrested might have been part of a larger syndicate that tried to take advantage of the gala to circulate fake money." Insp Zhanero urged businesspeople and individuals to use money detectors when transacting.