By Rungano Dzikira
Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) in conjunction with State security has unravelled unscrupulous fuel dealers’ enflaming indiscipline in the fuel sector by foreign currency pricing and fuel hoarding in anticipation of maximising profits on the black market.
Investigations carried out unearthed at least 200 000 litres of petrol and 102 765 litres diesel veiled by differing service stations countrywide, in anticipation of a fuel hike or to be channelled towards the black market.
A Zera official confided that over 25 fuel stations had been found selling fuel in foreign currency.
“Service stations are conniving with dealers to sell fuel in US dollars. Among the visited service stations, at least 25 were found selling fuel ranging between USD $1, 20 to $1, 25 per litre; and yet as Zera, we never licensed any dealers to sell in US,” he said.
Flow petroleum was fingered among those found wanting, though it is reported to have instead produced a letter vying for the foreign currency sells.
“Flow petroleum produced a letter dated 6 September signed by Zera technical director, Misheck Siyakachaya, authorizing selling of fuel in foreign currency to diplomats and foreign currency earners which the dealer has been justifying as permission to sell in forex at its Chiredzi, Beitbridge, Harare and Bulawayo retail outlets.
“As if that’s not enough, the service station even justified their actions arguing that their fuel was unleaded petrol, again going against the law on mandatory blending of fuel,” he added.
Miezon Service Station, Velvet in Harare, Maps Petroleum in Harare, Puma Energy – Avondale, Zuva – Groombridge, Engen – Workington, and West Service Station in Mberengwa are also among the many which were selling fuel in foreign currency.
Masvingo’s Domicile Service Station was also shut down having been fingered to be disbursing adulterated diesel unsuitable for car use. After carrying out the flash point test, Zera found their diesel’s flash point 45 instead of recommended 57, leading to suspicion of dilution of the diesel with paraffin.
Other fuel stations were issued with compliance orders having been found with ‘reservqed’ fuel. Zuva Chiredzi, Genesis Energy (Tseneguru) Chiredzi, Total Buffalo Range, and Puma Energy in Mutare were found with 13 000 litres of petrol, 5 400litres of petrol, 3 200litres diesel, and 24 000litres of petrol respectively; believed to have been destined for the black market.
