Zimbabwe's new gold-backed currency sliding on black market

John Mushayavanhu, the new governor or the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, displays new banknotes of the country's currency to reporters, in Harare, April 5, 2024. (Columbus Mavhunga/VOA) A vendor who requested that his face not be shown holds bills of Zimbabwe's outgoing currency, in Harare, April 15, 2024. (Columbus Mavhunga/VOA) A gas station displays fuel prices in U.S. dollars, in Harare, April 5, 2024. The Zimbabwean government says, for now, commodities like fuel will still be bought and sold using the U.S. currency. (Columbus Mavhunga/VOA) Discarded bills and coins of Zimbabwe's old currency are seen on the pavement of a street in Harare, April 15, 2024. (Columbus Mavhunga/VOA)

Zimbabwe’s recently introduced gold-backed currency is sliding on the local black market but officials insist the currency is getting stronger and has a bright future. Columbus Mavhunga reports from Harare.