SPECIMEN BANKNOTE GOES MISSING IN SWAZILAND

An accountant of the Central Bank of Swaziland has been suspended following the alleged disappearance of a specimen banknote at the bank.

The disappearance of a specimen of the new E200 notes at the Central Bank of Swaziland (CBS) has resulted to insecurity in the bank and fears that there could be a syndicate that intends forging the new bank notes.

A specimen banknote is printed to see whether or not the design is suitable to be put into full production as a currency issue.

Sometimes, specimen banknotes are printed for distribution to central banks to aid in the recognition of banknotes from a country other than their own. The specimen disappeared a while ago and was allegedly sold to a South African man who later on advertsied it for resale abroad.

It is not known what the intention behind the alleged theft of the money copy, which was launched about six months ago, was.

The copy of the money had been allegedly kept in a safe place in one of the managers' offices together with other specimens. An accountant has since been suspended in connection to the matter.

According to well placed sources at the bank, the suspension came immediately after it transpired that there was a deal involving E30 000 that was entered into for the release of the specimen.

The buyer is allegedly an Indian national based in South Africa.

Sources close to the matter revealed that the manager in charge of the notes was out of the country on business when the suspect asked for the safe keys from the person who was safeguarding the manager's office.

The source further alleged that the leakage of the specimen was discovered thro-ugh the interception of electronic correspondences where the buyer was allegedly advertising it for resale.

It could not be immediately ascertained what the buyer wanted to do with the specimen but fears are that he could sell it to money collectors or people who forge money.

To read the complete article, see: Are there people Planning to forge new E200 banknotes? (www.times.co.sz/News/32746.html)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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