Community members in the Tsumkwe settlement have raised concerns that some grocery shops offering FNB CashPlus agent services are pressuring customers to buy goods of more than N$100 before they can withdraw money.

Residents say they face demands to make unplanned purchases when they approach retail shops to access cash through e-wallets or cashback transactions at tills.

Shapumba Virginia Karumbu, the owner of Target Retailer in Tsumkwe, said customers do not understand the difference between a CashPlus agent and a speed point. 

She said her shop does not charge customers and allows them to withdraw e-wallet funds, deposit money into FNB accounts and withdraw cash for free through the CashPlus agent service.

Karumbu said customers using a speed point are required to swipe for goods worth at least N$1.00 before withdrawing.

She said the only time customers are turned away from CashPlus withdrawals is when the shop does not have cash available. 

Karumbu said she is committed to educating customers on the difference between the two services.

Other retail shops in Tsumkwe denied the allegations and said they receive commission from FNB for offering the CashPlus agent service.

Another shop owner, Natangwe Ndapandula, who owns a hardware business in the settlement, said FNB customers are allowed to swipe for goods worth as little as N$1.00. 

She said customers using other banks are required to swipe for goods with a minimum of N$100.00.

There are four retail shops in the Tsumkwe settlement partnered with FNB to provide CashPlus agent services.