A Mbabane resident, Mzamo, recently discovered that his long-saved cash hidden under a mattress was not entirely lost after a house fire damaged his savings. The small blaze left most of his banknotes partly burned, with about two thirds of each note remaining.
Believing his money was ruined, Mzamo was relieved to learn from a retired Central Bank of Eswatini employee living nearby that damaged or mutilated notes can still be exchanged for value. He later took the notes to the Central Bank and successfully replaced them before purchasing the phone he had been saving for.
The Central Bank has since reminded the public that mutilated notes, including those burned, torn, taped, or missing pieces, remain redeemable. The Bank explained that notes with two thirds or more of their original portion intact are exchanged at full value, while those between half and two thirds qualify for half value. Notes with less than half remaining hold no value.
Members of the public are encouraged to visit their nearest commercial bank or the Central Bank banking hall, currently operating from the Eswatini Post Office in Mbabane, to exchange damaged cash.
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