Service stations have continued selling fuel at the
gazetted prices, despite social media reports that fuel was now being sold at
$8 per litre. In Harare yesterday, service stations were selling petrol at the
gazetted $4,97 per litre, with diesel selling at $4,86 per litre.
This follows Government’s intervention by cracking down on
illegal dealings in the fuel sector, including unilateral price increases and
demands for foreign currency as the only form of payment.
On Tuesday, social media was awash with messages that fuel
prices had gone up, with others alleging that service stations were selling
fuel in foreign currency. This resulted in motorists and commuters panicking.
Some commuter omnibus operators took advantage of the
situation and started charging exorbitant fares.
Kombi crews charged as high as $3 per trip, while some
commuters from Chitungwiza had to pay between $4 and $5. Yesterday, the
situation had returned to normalcy at most service stations although there were
long winding queues.
Most motorists told The Herald that they were buying fuel
at the usual price and service stations had not increased the price. Service
stations were accepting RTGS, swipe and EcoCash.
Some motorists said they were buying fuel so that when the
price increase takes effect, they will be safe while others dismissed the
speculations of hoarding.
Mr Tendai Chinyemba, a motorist, said he was buying fuel
because he was in need of it.
“Where do I get the money to hoard the fuel? I am just
buying the usual volumes. I have to take my children to school so I need to top
up fuel from time-to-time,” he said.
Another motorist at Puma along Airport Road in Harare said
he was confident of refuelling as the queue was moving fast.
“I have been here for the past hour. I may appear to be far
away, but I am convinced that I will get the fuel. They are serving people fast
and soon I should be going home,” he said.
Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune
Chasi said practices by fuel industry players of unnecessarily increasing
prices were unacceptable and Government was prepared to take remedial measures
to protect the consumers.
Minister Chasi urged players in the fuel sector to comply
with their licence conditions or risk serious consequences. Herald
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