Harare - Zimbabwe's inflation-weary citizens will soon have a new Z$50 000 (about R3,15) bank note to make shopping easier, central bank governor Gideon Gono announced on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe introduced a temporary form of currency - dubbed bearer cheques - three years ago to alleviate chronic cash shortages.

"We are pleased to announce that with effect from 1 February 2006, a higher denomination of Z$50 000 bearer cheques will be added," Gono said, warning Zimbabweans that inflation could shoot up to between 700 percent and 800 percent by March.

Since their introduction, the purchasing power of bearer cheques, which come in Z$5 000, Z$10 000 and Z$20 000 dollar denominations, has been eroded by inflation that last month reached 586 percent. - Sapa-DPA
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• This article was originally published on page 1 of Cape Times on January 25, 2006