Cape Town - Barely two weeks after the new Randela banknotes
started circulating, counterfeit notes have made their appearance, the New Age reported on Tuesday.
Some people who are not familiar with the security features of the new banknotes and sections of the small business community, mainly spaza shops, say they practise caution when handling them, in particular the R100 and R200 denominations.
The South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) has confirmed that it has received reports of the fake notes.
“The bank is aware of isolated cases of counterfeit notes of the new banknote series featuring former president Nelson Mandela,” said Sarb spokesperson Hlengani Mathebula on Monday.
The new banknotes, which feature former president Nelson Mandela on the front and pictures of the Big Five animals on the back, went into circulation on November 6.
Security features include watermarks, micro-printing and unique numbering. The notes feature raised printing for visually impaired people, and are the same size as those already in circulation to avoid confusion.
The new banknotes will circulate with the existing currency and both will be legal tender.
Some people who are not familiar with the security features of the new banknotes and sections of the small business community, mainly spaza shops, say they practise caution when handling them, in particular the R100 and R200 denominations.
The South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) has confirmed that it has received reports of the fake notes.
“The bank is aware of isolated cases of counterfeit notes of the new banknote series featuring former president Nelson Mandela,” said Sarb spokesperson Hlengani Mathebula on Monday.
The new banknotes, which feature former president Nelson Mandela on the front and pictures of the Big Five animals on the back, went into circulation on November 6.
Security features include watermarks, micro-printing and unique numbering. The notes feature raised printing for visually impaired people, and are the same size as those already in circulation to avoid confusion.
The new banknotes will circulate with the existing currency and both will be legal tender.
The launch was preceded by a public awareness campaign
which included television, radio and print advertisements as well as electronic
media and social networking.