MISMANAGEMENT of service stations bordering on corruption
and nepotism by attendants who are taking advantage of the shortage of fuel is
fast becoming a cause for concern. It has become the norm at service stations
to see fuel attendants facilitating access to fuel by motorists outside queues
and relatives, in the full glare of those who have been waiting for hours for
their turn to refill their vehicles.
Most service stations are manned by young men and women
hungry for a quick buck. When The Herald visited most service stations in and
around Harare, restless motorists were seen pushing and shoving.
Others shouted obscenities at fuel attendants and their
managers accusing them of corruptly refuelling vehicles that have “jumped the
queue”.
Fuel supplies improved this week with most service stations
getting petrol and diesel deliveries but this did not translate to shorter
queues.
Social media was also awash with video clips of fist fights
pitting angry motorists at different service stations.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi
warned motorists against engaging in violence and committing other offences at
fuel stations.
“We are aware that some motorists, especially kombi
drivers, skip queues and cause violence at fuel stations.
“We urge them to desist from such behaviour. We appeal to
all motorists to exercise patience and to respect each other in fuel queues.
“All those who commit offences at service stations are not
immune to arrest and prosecution. They will be arrested,” said Asst Comm
Nyathi.
Asst Comm Nyathi urged all victims of violence at service
stations to report to the police.
“Such cases must be reported to the police to allow the law
to take its course,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi encouraged operators of service stations
to request police security whenever there are indications of potential violence
upon delivery of fuel.
“Most operators seek our services when they foresee
violence upon receiving fuel deliveries. We encourage them to continue doing so
to prevent cases of violence,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
On Wednesday a fuel attendant at a Puma service station in
Mt Hampden had to lock herself up in an office when motorists charged towards
her. This was after she had allegedly facilitated the skipping of queues by
relatives and friends.
A similar situation was witnessed at a Total service
station at Westgate at midday on Tuesday. Herald
0 comments:
Post a Comment