Total Garage located in Baobab suburb, Hwange has been fined US$500 by the Hwange Magistrates’ Court for violating Section 3(b) of the SI 171/2014 Petroleum Fuel Quality Amendment regulations.
On December 27, 2024, the garage blended unleaded petrol with more than 25% ethanol instead of the required 80% unleaded petrol to 20% ethanol ratio.
The value of the non-compliant fuel was US$17,880.
COMOIL was recently fined US$250 by the Lupane Magistrates’ Court for selling petrol with an ethanol content exceeding the legally allowed limit.
This violation of the E20 ZWS 964 standards, which cap ethanol content at 20%, was discovered during a routine inspection by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) on December 6, 2024. 
Samples collected from COMOIL’s Lupane station revealed ethanol levels above 50%, which was later confirmed by the Zimbabwe Standards Authority (SAZ), leading to the sealing of tanks containing the non-compliant fuel.

Pindula News

Total Garage in Hwange was fined US$500 for putting too much ethanol in their petrol in December 2024. They should have had 80% petrol and 20% ethanol, but had more ethanol. The bad fuel was worth US$17,880. Another gas station, COMOIL, was fined US$250 for the same thing in Lupane. The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority found ethanol levels over 50% in their petrol, instead of the allowed 20%. The gas station's tanks were sealed for having wrong petrol. Don't put too much ethanol in your petrol or you could get fined!

Total Service Station Fined US$500 For Excessive Ethanol Content In Their Petrol

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.

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%.

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 Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has increased diesel and petrol prices in USD and decreased in Zimbabwean dollars with effect from 7 September 2023. In a statement published by Pindula News, ZERA said the new prices are as follows:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Diesel 50: ZWL8 160.44/litre</li>
<li>Diesel 50: US$1.76/litre</li>
<li>Blend – E20: ZWL$7 648.14/litre</li>
<li>Blend – E20: US$1.65/litre</li>
</ul>
For comparison purposes, we present August and July prices. <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/08/09/zera-raise-fuel-in-usd-reduce-in-zimbabwean-dollars-8-august-2023/">August prices</a> were as follows:
<ul>
<li>Diesel 50: ZWL7,492.63</li>
<li>Diesel 50: US$1.65,</li>
<li>Blend – E20: ZWL7,300.72</li>
<li>Blend – E20: US$1.61</li>
</ul>
In July, ZERA had released the prices per litre as follows:
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Diesel 50: ZWL9,200.03</li>
<li>Diesel 50: US$1.58;</li>
<li>Blend – E20: ZWL9,113.66</li>
<li>Blend – E20: US$1.57.</li>
</ul>
The prices for September 2023 are based on M-1 which refers to refer to the cost of importing fuel into Zimbabwe. The M-1 price is determined by various factors, including international crude oil prices, transportation costs, port charges, insurance costs, and taxes. The M-1 price is used as a basis for setting the local pump prices of petrol and diesel in Zimbabwe. The M-1 price is subject to change depending on the fluctuations in the global oil market and other factors that affect the cost of importing fuel.
ZERA said the price will remain effective until 4 October 2023. ZERA has advised the public and operators that the blending ratio is at E20. Operators are allowed to sell petroleum products below the prescribed prices depending on their trading advantages and should display prices in a prominent place as stipulated by the fuel pricing regulations.
Stakeholders are urged to verify the petroleum price releases by ZERA on the official ZERA website, Facebook, or Twitter handle.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

ZERA Raises Fuel Prices In USD, Reduces In Zimbabwean Dollars: 7 September 2023

South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has raised the price of 93 and 95 unleaded petrol by 37 cents per litre, while diesel decreased by 74 cents per litre and illuminating paraffin by 33 cents per litre.
The price adjustments are due to the cost of crude oil, international petroleum product prices, and the rand or dollar exchange rate. 
Brent crude oil prices increased from $79.24 to over $80 during the period under review, and the rand appreciated slightly against the dollar.
In the recent budget speech, Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana announced a 1 cent per litre increase to the general fuel levy for both petrol and diesel to recoup the levy payment for April 2023, which will be removed on June 7, 2023.
To the North of Limpopo, Zimbabwe’s Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) announced that the price of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/05/05/zera-announces-fuel-prices-effective-5-may-2023/">Diesel 50 will decrease</a> from US$1.64 to US$1.61 per litre while the price of Petrol Blend will remain the same at US$1.61 per litre.
The new prices in Zimbabwean dollars are Diesel 50 at ZWL$1,756.24 per litre and Petrol Blend at ZWL$1,752.81 per litre.
The new prices in Zimbabwe are with effect from the 5th of May 2023.
<h2><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

South Africa: Petrol Prices Go Up, Diesel, Paraffin Decrease

Four people, three from Zimbabwe and one from South Africa, aged between 30 and 36 years old, were arrested on Saturday evening for attempting to steal diesel from a mine in Mpumalanga province, South Africa.
Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, Mpumalanga police spokesperson confirmed on Monday that the accused were caught at around 8 pm, according to the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/zimbabweans-nabbed-trying-to-steal-diesel-in-south-africa/">Chronicle</a>. Brig Mohlala stated that four light delivery vehicles entered the mine and hid between stockpiles. He added:
<blockquote>
Upon receiving information, the assistant contractor standby manager, supervisor of Vlanggatfotein mine, and the reaction unit proceeded to the scene. On arrival, four vehicles resembling the mine mechanical vehicles with their loading bins converted to tanks were found.
</blockquote>
The official reported that four suspects were arrested for attempting to steal diesel at the mine after they failed to justify their entry into the mine. They were found with four light delivery vehicles, two Isuzu, one Ford Ranger, and one Toyota Hilux pickup truck, all with Gauteng registration plates. The vehicles were confiscated for investigation purposes. Additionally, the Department of Home Affairs will investigate the legal status of the Zimbabwean nationals who were among the suspects.
Theft of fuel is a significant problem in South Africa, particularly in the form of siphoning diesel from trucks and heavy machinery at mines and other industrial sites.
Criminals often target these vehicles because diesel is less volatile than gasoline and has a higher energy density, making it more valuable on the black market. The theft of fuel not only results in financial losses for companies but also poses safety risks and can damage equipment. 
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Three Zimbabweans Arrested Over Diesel Theft In South Africa

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has announced new fuel prices effective 11 January 2023.
The price of petrol is now US$1.53 per litre, up from US$1.50, while the price of diesel is now US$1.63, down from US$1.65 per litre. ZERA said in a statement:
<blockquote>
The public and operators are advised that the blending ratio for unleaded petrol is at E5. Operators may sell the petroleum products below the prescribed prices depending on their trading advantages and should display prices in a prominent place as provided for by the fuel pricing regulations.
</blockquote>
The new fuel prices in Zimbabwe dollars are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Diesel is now ZWL$1.147.01, up from ZWL$1.119.82 per litre</li>
<li>Petrol is now ZWL$1080.01, up from ZWL$1016.49 per litre</li>
</ul>

ZERA Announces New Fuel Prices Effective 11 January

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Energy_Regulatory_Authority">Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA)</a> has raised fuel prices by two cents for petrol and three cents for diesel with effect from the 29th of December 2022.
In a statement seen by Pindula News, the regulator said petrol would now be sold at US$1.50 per litre up from the previous US$1.48.
In the local currency, the petrol price was raised to ZW$1 016.49 from ZW$1 007.45.
ZERA raised the US dollar price for diesel to US$1.65 from US$1.62 per litre while the diesel price in the local currency was hiked to ZW$1119.82, from ZW$1 094.04 per litre. Read the statement in part:
<blockquote>
The public and operators are advised that the blending ratio remains at E5. Operators may sell the petroleum products below the prescribed prices depending on their trading advantages and should display prices in a prominent place as provided for by the fuel pricing regulations. Stakeholders are advised that the petroleum price releases by ZERA can be verified on the official ZERA website, Facebook or Twitter handle. 
</blockquote>
The average price of gasoline around the world is 1.28 U.S. Dollars per litre while the average price of diesel around the world is 1.32 U.S. Dollars per litre. 
GlobalPetrolPrices.com says the differences in prices across countries are due to the various taxes and subsidies for diesel. All countries have access to the same petroleum prices of international markets but then decide to impose different taxes. As a result, the retail price of diesel is different.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa early this year said he had <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/i-directed-reduction-of-duty-on-fuels-no-duty-for-diesel-president-mnangagwa/">directed that duty on fuels be reduced by US 13 cents</a> among other measures to ensure the supply in the market remains stable and affordable.
Fuel prices went up in February with the government attributing the increase to the <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/ukraines-foreign-minister-putin-launched-full-scale-invasion-well-defend-and-win/">war between Russia and Ukraine</a> which they said disrupted global trade as the two countries are the main producers of oil.
Analysts, however, observed that while the war had an effect on economies worldwide, fuel in Zimbabwe was more expensive when compared to its regional counterparts and this was due to higher taxes. That is when President Mnangagwa directed that the taxes be reduced.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Fuel Price Update: ZERA Hikes Petrol, Diesel Prices - 29 Dec 2022

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Energy_Regulatory_Authority">Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA)</a> has announced new fuel prices effective 30 November 2022. The <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/new-fuel-prices-effective-23-november-2023/">previous review was on 23 November 2022.</a> Pindula News presents the statement issued by ZERA:
Please be advised of the review in fuel prices for diesel and blend with effect from 30 November 2022. The prices have been reviewed as follows:
<blockquote>
Diesel 50 (ZWL/ litre) – $1 113.03 from $1 116.94
Blend — E20 (ZWL/ litre) – $1 008.57 from $951.85
Diesel 50 (US$ / litre) – $1.70 from $1.73
Blend — E20 (US$/litre) – $1.54 from $1.59
</blockquote>
ZERA advised the public and operators that the blending ratio remains at E20.
Operators may sell petroleum products below the prescribed prices depending on their trading advantages and should display prices in a prominent place as provided for by the fuel pricing regulations.
Stakeholders were advised that the petroleum price releases by ZERA can be verified on the official ZERA website, Facebook or Twitter handle.
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Fuel Prices Effective 30 November: Diesel Reduced, Petrol Hiked (ZW$)

Fuel prices are expected to go up next month in South Africa due to higher oil prices.
 The prices of oil have been going up globally due to the war between Russia and Ukraine. 
According to the Automobile Association of South Africa, often abbreviated AA, an automobile association that has been operating in South Africa since 1930, increases will start next month.
The AA says data from the Central Energy Fund forecast increases of between 97 cents and R1.09 a litre, <a href="https://www.enca.com/search/news?search=fuel">eNCA News</a> reported.
Illuminating paraffin is also expected to increase by around 30 cents a litre.
Meanwhile, the price of diesel will decrease by up to 34 cents a litre.
The development will likely have an impact on fuel prices in Zimbabwe since it imports from its neighbour.
Zimbabwe imports fuels primarily from Singapore, South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius, and United Arab Emirates.
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South Africa: Fuel Prices Expected To Go Up In December

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has announced the prices of diesel and petrol (Blend-E20) with effect from 19 October 2022.
The price of diesel has remained at US$1.73 per litre while the price of petrol has gone up to US$1.56 up from US$1.55 which was announced a week ago.
Notwithstanding the fact that fuel is hardly sold in Zimbabwe dollars, ZERA has announced new prices in the local currency.
<ul>
<li>Diesel is now ZWL$1.088.80, up from ZWL$1.084.08 per litre</li>
<li>Petrol is now ZWL$981.67, up from ZWL$971.21 per litre</li>
</ul>
ERA said the blending ratio remains at E20. It added that operators may sell the petroleum products below the prescribed prices depending on their trading advantages and should display prices in a prominent place as provided for by the fuel pricing regulations.

Price Of Petrol Goes Up, Again

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) says it has escalated an operation against the smuggling of goods across the country’s porous borders.
In a statement this Thursday, the ZRP said its officers intercepted two South Africa-registered trucks laden with 43 800 litres of unleaded petrol valued at 149 000 rands on 8 September.
The vehicles belong to Infinity Fleet Transport and were destined for Nemo Petroleum in Bulawayo.
One of the drivers, Joshua Selowa, was arrested while the other driver, who has not been named, escaped the police dragnet. Police said via Twitter:
<blockquote>
The ZRP has intensified operation, ‘No to Cross Border Crimes/ Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni Yamashango/Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/ Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe’.
On 08/09/21, Police intercepted two SA registered trucks, HMD 437 FS and 319ERB GP loaded with 43 800 litres of unleaded petrol, valued at ZAR 149 000. One of the trucks was being driven by Joshua Selowa while the other driver escaped.
The tankers, belonging to Infinity Fleet Transport were destined for Nemo Petroleum, Byo.
Investigations so far have revealed that the drivers used a fake bill of entry which was already used on 03/09/21.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

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