Money in Washing Machines

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COVID-19 is passed on when we touch, including money changing hands. That is why most stores take only debit and credit cards now, which is dangerous because we might send credit card bills to the rafters.

We sanitize hands to minimize COVID-19 transmission. Can we wash paper money and coins? That would be money laundering, making money criminally acquired, to look legal.

That brings us to money’s bad rap. Except for obese Premier Soccer League, NBA or NFL contracts and record deals, too much money is viewed with suspicion. How did he get his millions?

v Money is the root of all evil.

v He’s a drug dealer. Money laundering is his game.

v I don’t want your filthy money.

v Her money is tainted with blood.

In one Yoruba movie, the father told his daughter to get into prostitution like her friend Folakemi. The daughter was appalled that her own father could suggest that. She reminded him that prostitution was dirty money. He said all money is dirty, including church contributions. That is why pastors pray when they receive it.

The term money laundering means money can be bleached or thrown  in a washing machine for purging. In one movie, the father bought his daughter a chain of hair salons and pushed drug money under her nose.

Drug cartels are disproportionately accused of money laundering. Businessmen do it. Wall Street does it. Foreign exchange dealers and businessmen with legitimate businesses do it.

Money laundering roughly means making legal, money made through illegal means. That doesn’t mean legitimate businesses don’t dabble in it under the table.

If we had doubts about whether money is dirty or not, COVID-19 has confirmed it. It is. That’s why stores don’t want your money. Debit or credit card only, maam!

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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