2006年VOA标准英语-Zimbabwe Cash Seizures to Be Challenged in Cour

By Tendai Maphosa
Harare
10 August 2006

In Zimbabwe, a lawyers' organization is preparing to challenge the widespread seizure¹ of cash from Zimbabweans, in the wake of the revaluation of the country's currency and introduction of new bills. 

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The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights organization is preparing to take the government to court to challenge so-called Presidential Powers Regulations. The regulations are used to seize money from citizens who have more than the amount stipulated² by central bank governor Gideon Gono, who put limits on how much money citizens can carry or deposit.

New Zimbabwean bank notes introduced by Reserve bank governor in Harare, Wednesday, August 2, 2006  
  
Because of Zimbabwe's hyperinflation, Zimbabweans had become accustomed to carrying large amounts of cash. To make it easier for consumers, Gono announced a changeover to new notes. The exercise should be complete on August 21.

Gono alleged³ that most of Zimbabwe's currency was not in circulation, but was in private hands for money laundering⁴ purposes. And, he announced limits to amounts that can be put in banks or carried by individuals and businesses.

The ensuing crackdown has seen police, the army and the youth militia⁵ mounting roadblocks and manning border posts, where they carry out searches, and take money from those caught with sums in excess of those prescribed. So far, more than 10 trillion Zimbabwe dollars have been seized.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights spokesperson Otto Saki told VOA that the organization is consulting widely before proceeding⁶ with its challenge.

Another group, The Law Society of Zimbabwe, also says the seizures⁷ are illegal. In a statement, the society says the presidential decree legitimizing the seizures does not provide for the confiscation⁸ of money.

The statement condemns⁹ what it calls the arbitrary, invasive and degrading actions of the police, the army and the youth militia. It called the stopping and searching of members of the public on roads and other public places grossly invasive, a violation¹⁰ of the individual's right to privacy, dignity and integrity of the person.

The regulations grant immunity¹¹ from being sued to the government, any financial institution, or any employee of the state for anything done in good faith.

1 seizure   

n.没收；占有；抵押

参考例句：

• The seizure of contraband is made by customs.那些走私品是被海关没收的。
• The courts ordered the seizure of all her property.法院下令查封她所有的财产。

2 stipulated   

vt.& vi.规定；约定adj.[法]合同规定的

参考例句：

• A delivery date is stipulated in the contract. 合同中规定了交货日期。
• Yes, I think that's what we stipulated. 对呀，我想那是我们所订定的。 来自辞典例句

3 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

4 laundering   

n.洗涤（衣等），洗烫（衣等）；洗（钱）v.洗（衣服等），洗烫（衣服等）( launder的现在分词 )；洗（黑钱）（把非法收入改头换面，变为貌似合法的收入）

参考例句：

• Separate the white clothes from the dark clothes before laundering. 洗衣前应当把浅色衣服和深色衣服分开。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He was charged with laundering money. 他被指控洗钱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 militia   

n.民兵，民兵组织

参考例句：

• First came the PLA men,then the people's militia.人民解放军走在前面，其次是民兵。
• There's a building guarded by the local militia at the corner of the street.街道拐角处有一幢由当地民兵团守卫的大楼。

6 proceeding   

n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报

参考例句：

• This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
• The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。

7 seizures   

n.起获( seizure的名词复数 )；没收；充公；起获的赃物

参考例句：

• Seizures of illicit drugs have increased by 30% this year. 今年违禁药品的扣押增长了30%。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Other causes of unconsciousness predisposing to aspiration lung abscess are convulsive seizures. 造成吸入性肺脓肿昏迷的其他原因，有惊厥发作。 来自辞典例句

8 confiscation   

n. 没收, 充公, 征收

参考例句：

• Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels. 没收一切流亡分子和叛乱分子的财产。 来自英汉非文学 - 共产党宣言
• Confiscation of smuggled property is part of the penalty for certain offences. 没收走私财产是对某些犯罪予以惩罚的一部分。

9 condemns   

v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的第三人称单数 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地

参考例句：

• Her widowhood condemns her to a lonely old age. 守寡使她不得不过着孤独的晚年生活。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The public opinion condemns prostitution. 公众舆论遣责卖淫。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

10 violation   

n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯

参考例句：

• He roared that was a violation of the rules.他大声说，那是违反规则的。
• He was fined 200 dollars for violation of traffic regulation.他因违反交通规则被罚款200美元。

11 immunity   

n.优惠；免除；豁免，豁免权

参考例句：

• The law gives public schools immunity from taxation.法律免除公立学校的纳税义务。
• He claims diplomatic immunity to avoid being arrested.他要求外交豁免以便避免被捕。