Some fuel dealers have reportedly defied a government directive and continue to sell unleaded and toxic fuel in violation of the law.
The government banned the sale of unleaded petrol, effective September 1, 2024, by introducing Statutory Instrument 150 of 2024, which provides the mandatory blending of anhydrous ethanol with petrol.
However, a snap survey conducted this week by <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/toxic-fuel-floods-zim/">Business Times</a> revealed that several service stations including Puma, Trek, Zuva and Redan outlets have defied the government directive and are still selling unleaded petrol.
In contrast, Total Energies, Engen and Glow service stations have complied with the law.
In an interview with Business Times, Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) CEO Edington Mazambani said that the regulatory body conducts random inspections to ensure fuel dealers’ compliance with regulations.
These unannounced checks aim to maintain standards and prevent malpractice in the fuel industry. Mazambani said:
<blockquote>
Government has not relaxed the fuel blending regulations. All fuel transported through the pipeline is blended before upliftment from either Feruka or Msasa depots.
ZERA, through fuel quality compliance checks, on the adherence to specifications as provided in fuel quality regulations.
</blockquote>
Mazambani said ZERA was intensifying its crackdown on fuel companies and was taking measures to make punishment for offenders more deterrent. He said:
<blockquote>
ZERA is sharpening enforcement and regulatory tools by initiating, developing and reviewing fuel quality standards and regulations to make punishments more deterrent.
ZERA is increasing its monitoring and enforcement capacity by establishing and adequately manning regional offices to increase the frequency of random testing and responsiveness to complaints.
ZERA is working closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to enforce fuel quality regulations through site closures and arrests of operators.
</blockquote>
Mazambani also said ZERA has resolved to name and shame fuel service stations found to have contaminated fuel. He said:
<blockquote>
ZERA has always conducted fuel quality monitoring in the market with zero tolerance for fuel contamination and adulteration.
The naming of those service stations caught with contaminated fuel is meant to raise consumer awareness and encourage service stations to comply with set fuel quality standards and specifications.
The problem is not limited to Harare alone. The list published shows companies caught and prosecuted so far between January and June 2024 country wide covering Quarters 1 and 2 of the year.
Bulawayo, Mutare, Masvingo, Ruwa, and Marondera each had sites prosecuted in the period. Harare has more than 50% of the total fuel retail sites in the country and this also shows in the statistics of convictions.
ZERA shall be publishing the lists of convicted retail sites countrywide at the end of Quarter 3 in September 2024 upon finalisation of their cases.
</blockquote>
Last month, ZERA took decisive action against non-compliant fuel stations. The authority convicted and fined 12 stations for selling contaminated fuel, while also revoking the operating license of one establishment.
ZERA has expressed grave concern over the alarming increase in toxic or contaminated fuel infiltrating the Zimbabwean market, describing the current levels as unprecedented.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Some fuel dealers in Zimbabwe are still selling toxic fuel, even though the government banned unleaded petrol and requires fuel to be blended with ethanol since September 2024. Some stations are following the law, but others are not. The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority is cracking down on non-compliant stations and taking measures to punish offenders. They are also naming and shaming stations found to have contaminated fuel. The problem is not just in Harare, but also in other cities. The authority has already fined some stations and revoked the license of one. They are concerned about the high levels of toxic fuel in the market.

Toxic Fuel Floods Zimbabwe As Fuel Firms Defy Government

Finance, Economic Development and lnvestment Promotion Minister, Mthuli Ncube, said he doesn’t understand why fuel dealers refuse to accept ZiG as payment for their products.
Appearing before joint parliamentary portfolio committees on budget and finance as well as industry and commerce on Tuesday, Ncube said some businesses were still in the transition from ZWL to ZiG but will soon accept the new currency without difficulty. He said (<a href="https://www.zimlive.com/article/finance-minister-says-vexed-by-snubbing-of-zig-by-fuel-dealers/">via ZimLive</a>):
<blockquote>
I don’t know why they don’t accept ZiG. We are in a multi-currency regime; they ought to accept if a buyer of fuel wishes to pay in ZIG.
This issue of transition from a volatile Zimbabwean dollar to a stable ZiG will take time for people to get their heads around it but with time, they will accept ZiG without difficulty. They should accept ZiG.
</blockquote>
Ncube said the Treasury and the Central Bank will continue to encourage the acceptance of the ZiG by the local market.
He said authorities “will search low and high” for measures to ensure that businesses and traders accept the new currency.
The ZiG is the country’s sixth attempt to deliver a functioning local currency since 2008.
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Authorities say the currency is backed by 2.5 tons of gold and $100 million in foreign currency reserves held by the central bank.
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The Government has come under criticism for offering some of its services exclusively in foreign currency.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mthuli "Doesn't Know" Why Fuel Dealers Don't Accept ZiG

Police have confirmed the death of three men in a fire incident in Karoi on 24 February.
The three men, who were all aged 30, were trapped in a house that was engulfed in a fireball after fuel that was being illegally stored in a room caught fire and exploded in the Chikangwe high-density suburb.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi identified the deceased as Clifford Mwanza (30), Takudzwa Muromba (30), and Sibangani Macheza (30). He said:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the death of three people in a fire incident which occurred at a house in Chikangwe, Karoi on 24th February 2024 after the room in which the victims used to stock fuel for illegal resale exploded.
The victims were identified by their next of kin as listed:-
<ul>
<li>Clifford Mwanza (30), a male adult of Chikangwe, Karoi</li>
<li>Takudzwa Muromba (30), a male adult of Chikangwe, Karoi</li>
<li> Sibangani Macheza (30), a male adult of Chikangwe, Karoi</li>
</ul>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police warns the public, motorists and illegal fuel dealers against storing fuel in their homes or public places as this is in breach of the country’s laws on public safety and environmental regulations.
</blockquote>
According to reports, Zanga died on Sunday while Mwanza and Macheza later passed away at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Police Confirm The Death Of 3 Fuel Dealers In A Fire Incident

Two Karoi fuel dealers who were seriously injured following a fuel explosion in a house on Saturday, have died at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare.
The deceased have been identified as Cliff Mwanza (30) and Sibangeni Macheza. Their colleague Tafadzwa Zanga (30) died on Sunday.
The three men were trapped in a house that was engulfed in fire from the explosion in the Chikangwe high-density suburb.
The deputy spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Mashonaland West Province, Assistant Inspector Aggray Jaure confirmed the development to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200023668/karoi-fuel-explosion-2-more-die">NewsDay</a> on Monday. He said:
<blockquote>
I confirm the death of Cliff Mwanza and Sibangeni Macheza both aged (30) due to severe burning wounds sustained from a fuel explosion in Karoi on Saturday.
</blockquote>
Police say Mwanza, Macheza and Zanga went to a house in Chikangwe intending to refuel their container from one of the two rooms they used to store fuel.
It is reported that one of the petrol containers exploded, setting the house ablaze.
They were later rescued after sustaining serious burns.
Here are some important safety measures to keep in mind to prevent similar accidents:
<ul>
<li>Store flammable liquids in approved containers: Use containers specifically designed for flammable liquids, such as safety cans, to reduce the risk of leaks and spills.</li>
<li>Store flammable liquids in a well-ventilated area away from ignition sources such as open flames, sparks, and heat sources. Use appropriate storage cabinets if necessary.</li>
<li>When transferring flammable liquids, use grounded equipment to prevent static electricity buildup, which can ignite the vapours.</li>
<li>Wear appropriate PPE such as goggles, gloves, and flame-resistant clothing when working with flammable liquids.</li>
<li>Prohibit smoking in areas where flammable liquids are used or stored.</li>
<li>Have appropriate fire extinguishing equipment nearby and ensure all personnel are trained in emergency procedures in case of a spill or fire.</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two More People Die From Burns Sustained In Karoi Fuel Explosion

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has warned illegal fuel dealers that they risk prosecution.
This comes as some unlicensed fuel dealers are advertising fuel on social media platforms promising to provide the product at low prices.
In a statement, ZERA said it is a serious offence for any unlicensed company to buy or sell fuel without the requisite license. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
It has come to the attention of the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) that there are some illegal fuel dealers offering fuel for sale to retailers and the public via social media.
Trade in petroleum products is a regulated activity that must be conducted in terms of relevant licenses and license conditions.
In terms of the Petroleum Act Cap 13:22, no person other than a licensed petroleum company shall procure or sell or produce petroleum products in the country.
Therefore, be advised that it is a serious offence for any unlicensed company to carry out an activity in the petroleum industry without the requisite license.
It is a breach of license conditions for a licensed petroleum retail company to buy petroleum products from a company that is not licensed to procure/import or wholesale petroleum products.
ZERA takes the issue of illegal fuel trading seriously as it endangers quality of product and safety of the public whilst creating an uneven playing field in the industry.
ZERA is working with relevant government agencies to curtail this malpractice.
The Authority would like to strongly warn that any unlicensed person found trading fuel will be prosecuted.
In addition, any licensed petroleum company found buying fuel from an unlicensed wholesaler will have their license cancelled.
Petroleum retail companies are advised to conduct due diligence by engaging ZERA to verify the authenticity of any company that may be offering fuel for sale in a suspicious manner.
The list of all licensed petroleum companies is available on the ZERA website www.zera.co.zw.
ZERA would like to urge the petroleum companies and the public to report anyone they suspect to be illegally doing business in the petroleum industry as soon as they get such information.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZERA Warns Unlicensed Fuel Dealers

Long fuel queues have resurfaced in some parts of the country, particularly Harare as more businesses resume operations and more people go back to work, Business Times reports. This was revealed in a snap survey conducted by the publication. The development was further confirmed to the publication by ZERA acting CEO Eddington Mazambani who said:
<blockquote>I heard that queues have resurfaced in most service stations around Harare but I have to find out what the problem is.
However, over and above all the underlining issues, industry and businesses have reopened therefore demand will go high. What is needed is for us to procure more fuel to meet the increasing demand.</blockquote>
The fuel shortage has also resulted in the resurgence of fuel dealers who are selling the precious liquid for between $0.8 and $1 per litre. Zimbabwe’s fuel consumption had gone down 40% due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
More: <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/fuel-queues-resurface/">Business Times </a>

Fuel Queues Resurface In Some Parts Of The Country

TechMag.TV has reported that there is Diesel at Total service station at the intersection of Chinhoyi and Samora Machel, Harare.
The online Publication posted on Twitter and said:
<blockquote>Diesel available by Total Samora and Chinhoyi very short queue and also Total Union and Chinhoyi only 2 kombis
<img alt="" class="media-img" data-maxheight="505" data-maxwidth="1010" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ENS8y6bX0AEeSGB?format=jpg&amp;name=large"/></blockquote>
The country has since the beginning of the year been having a huge shortage of fuel resulting in the prices of other commodities rising up.
More: <a href="https://twitter.com/TechMagTV/status/1212801806717407234">TechMag.TV</a>

Fuel Updates, Zimbabwe

Two illegal fuel dealers were reportedly arrested and each fined $200 in Mutare. They were arrested on December 26 after detectives received information to the effect that a group of five dealers was selling fuel for $2.60 per litre.
The duo, identified as Wilbert Shungu and Mountford Sibale was arraigned before magistrate Perseverance Makala. They were charged with selling petroleum without a licence.
The two will each spend two months in jail if they fail to pay the $200 fine. Their three accomplices George Muchinjiko, Admire Rakabopa (27), Freddy Charamba (40), are still to be sentenced.
<h3>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/fuel-dealers-fined/">Herald</a></h3>

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