COMOIL (Pvt) Ltd, a fuel retailer, has been found guilty by the Lupane Magistrates’ Court of selling petrol with ethanol content exceeding the legally allowed limit.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the company was represented in court by supervisor Livingstone Mubvumbi (42).
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) inspected the Lupane Station on December 6, 2024, and tested fuel samples that revealed ethanol content above 50%, violating the E20 ZWS 964 standards.
Tanks containing the non-compliant fuel were sealed, and further verification by the Standards Authority of Zimbabwe (SAZ) confirmed the breach.
The company was charged under SI 23/2013 and SI 171/2014 for failing to comply with fuel quality regulations and was fined US$250.

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COMOIL sold petrol with too much ethanol in it, which is against the rules. The company was caught because the fuel had more than 50% ethanol content. They were inspected and confirmed to have broken the law. The company had to pay a fine of US$250 for not following fuel quality regulations. The supervisor, Livingstone Mubvumbi, represented COMOIL in court. The company was found guilty by the Lupane Magistrates' Court.

COMOIL Fined US$250 For Exceeding Ethanol Limit In Petrol. Ethanol Content Was Above 50%.

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has ordered fuel retailers to comply with Statutory Instrument 150 of 2024 which mandates that all petrol sold in Zimbabwe must be blended with ethanol before sale.
The Statutory Instrument, which was promulgated on 30 August 2024, stipulates that unblended fuel, which was being sold in some service stations as “unleaded petrol” has to be blended with the same laid down percentage of ethanol as all other petrol.
In a notice issued this Tuesday, November 26, ZERA also warned fuel retailers that it is illegal to sell a petroleum product purporting that it is another.
As all petrol imported into Zimbabwe is unleaded, this means all petrol imported into Zimbabwe must be blended.
There is no leaded petrol in Zimbabwe as this was phased out in 2006, but blending with ethanol has been compulsory since 2011 as part of national measures to encourage use of biofuels. ZERA said:
<blockquote>
Please be advised that the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) expects total compliance to the Statutory Instrument 150 of 2024 – Petroleum (Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No.6) from all petroleum sector operators.
Further, operators are also advised that it is illegal to sell a petroleum product purporting that it is another. 
ZERA will therefore take the necessary legal steps to ensure full compliance to the law.
</blockquote>
Over the years, some fuel service stations avoided selling blended fuel by calling unblended petrol “unleaded petrol”, even though all petrol was unleaded. That loophole closed was closed by the Statutory Instrument. Reads Statutory Instrument 150 of 2024:
<blockquote>
Statutory Instrument 150 of 2024.
Petroleum (Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 6)
IT is hereby notified that the Minister of Energy and Power Development, after consultation with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has, in terms of section 57(1) of the Petroleum Act [Chapter 13:22], made the following regulations:-
1. These regulations may be cited as the Petroleum (Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 6).
2. Section 3 of the Petroleum (Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) Regulations, 2013, published in Statutory Instrument 17 of 2013, is repealed and substituted by the following-
“3. (1) These regulations shall apply to all unleaded petrol imported into Zimbabwe.
(2) Subsection (1) shall come into operation seven days from the date of publication of these regulations.”.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has ordered all fuel retailers to mix ethanol with petrol before selling it. This is because it is compulsory to use blended fuel in Zimbabwe to encourage the use of biofuels. The retailers cannot sell petrol claiming it is something else. This rule was made to close a loophole where some stations were selling unblended petrol as unleaded. The law now says all petrol, whether imported or not, must be blended with ethanol. If the retailers don't follow this rule, ZERA will take legal action against them.

ZERA Orders Fuel Retailers To Blend All Unleaded Petrol Before Sale

Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere has said the government has not banned the sale of unleaded fuel in the country.
The government recently announced regulations mandating that all unleaded petrol sold in Zimbabwe be blended with ethanol, as outlined in Statutory Instrument 150 of 2024, published on August 30 in the Government Gazette.
At the time, Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo said that the changes were made in consultation with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA).
However, during the National University of Science and Technology’s 11th Annual International Conference on Communication and Information Science, Muswere clarified that “no policy position exists” regarding a ban on unleaded fuel. He said (via NewsDay):
<blockquote>
The first question is about unleaded fuel. And the response is firstly, I am the official government spokesperson.
There have been discussions around this issue, but the government of Zimbabwe makes science-based decisions.
When we had our discussions some few weeks ago, His Excellency directed that whatever discussions (that) revolved around unleaded fuel, the discussions had not been comprehensive enough and that it was not government position to ban unleaded fuel…
The second item is that in the majority of cases, there has been a taxation loophole around the importation of unleaded fuel.
</blockquote>
Muswere said that discussions were held among stakeholders regarding the blending ratios and how combining petrol with ethanol could economically benefit the country. He said:
<blockquote>
The rational sense also in part of the discussions around the blending ratios.
The more a country is able, in terms of human capital development, to research, to come up with a blending ratio and reduce its import bill and create employment, the better for the country.
The more a country exports than it imports, it generates a positive balance of trade. But the official government position is that no policy position exists.
</blockquote>
The promulgation of Statutory Instrument 150 of 2024 sparked national outrage as motorists argued that they should have the freedom to choose their preferred fuel type instead of being forced to purchase blended petrol.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government did not ban unleaded petrol in Zimbabwe, even though they were going to mix it with ethanol. They talked about blending petrol with ethanol to help the country's economy. But the government now says there is no official plan to ban unleaded fuel. The decision to blend petrol with ethanol caused anger among drivers who wanted the choice to buy pure petrol. The government is discussing how to make the country's economy better while still giving people the freedom to choose their fuel.

Government Reverses Decision On Unleaded Petrol Ban

The government has announced new regulations making it mandatory for all unleaded petrol sold in the country to be blended with ethanol.
Statutory Instrument 150 of 2024, published on Friday, August 30, in the Government Gazette, states that these regulations will come into effect next week.
<blockquote>
IT is hereby notified that the Minister of Energy and Power Development, after consultation with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has, in terms of section 57(1) of the Petroleum Act [Chapter 13:22], made the following regulations:-
1. These regulations may be cited as the Petroleum (Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 6).
2. Section 3 of the Petroleum (Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) Regulations, 2013, published in Statutory Instrument 17 of 2013, is repealed and substituted by the following-
“3. (1) These regulations shall apply to all unleaded petrol imported into Zimbabwe.
(2) Subsection (1) shall come into operation seven days from the date of publication of these regulations.”
</blockquote>
Governments make fuel blending mandatory for several reasons. These include:
<ul>
<li>Blending petrol with ethanol can reduce harmful emissions, contributing to cleaner air and lower greenhouse gas emissions.</li>
<li>Utilising domestically produced ethanol can reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, enhancing energy security.</li>
<li>Mandating fuel blending can create a stable market for agricultural products, such as sugarcane, which are used to produce ethanol.</li>
<li>It can stimulate local industries, including biofuel production, creating jobs and boosting the economy.</li>
<li>Ethanol can improve the octane rating of fuel, potentially enhancing engine performance and fuel efficiency.</li>
<li>Making blending mandatory aligns with broader goals of transitioning to renewable energy sources and reducing carbon footprints.</li>
</ul>
However, opposition politician Linda Masarira has criticised the new regulations, arguing that motorists should have the freedom to choose their preferred fuel type instead of being forced to purchase blended petrol. She posted on X:
<blockquote>
This change will not sit well with many motorists. As of next week, unleaded fuel will no longer be available for purchase.
I believe this move is misguided, as consumers should have the freedom to choose their preferred fuel type. Forcing a specific type of fuel on consumers is an overreach.
</blockquote>
Hopewell Chin’ono, a government critic, said the new regulations reflect corruption, claiming that local ethanol is sold at excessively high prices, which makes Zimbabwe’s blended petrol more expensive than unleaded petrol in the region. He wrote on X:
<blockquote>
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime has banned the sale of unleaded petrol in Zimbabwe using statutory instrument 150 of 2024. Why?
The answer is very simple, his close friend Billy Rautenbach owns Greenfuels, which blends petrol and makes millions a day from blended petrol.
Zimbabwe had an opportunity to get cheaper ethanol from Brazil for 80 cents if it wanted to blend its petrol, but Billy used his political connections to secure a monopoly.
Very few politicians will talk about this because they were bribed. So, banning unleaded fuel is meant to protect Billy’s interests.
In other countries, ethanol is 80 cents a litre, but Billy is selling it at US$1.20 a litre or more. Blended petrol is meant to be cheaper, but blended fuel in Zimbabwe is more expensive than unleaded in the region!
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government is making all unleaded petrol have ethanol. This rule starts next week. An opposition politician, Linda Masarira, is against this rule. She thinks people should choose their own petrol. The government says this is to help the environment and save money. Many people may not like this change.

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