by Rudo Saungweme

Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable Joram Gumbo has warned drivers who are hoarding fuel using jerry cans saying that government will soon put that to a halt.

“Government will soon ban the use of jerry cans at fuel stations to prevent hoarding,” said Minister Gumbo.

Although RBZ Governor, Dr John Mangudya assured the public that there was sufficient fuel in the country and therefore there is no need for panic buying, illegal fuel dealers continue to hoard fuel using jerry cans for resale. The hoarding of fuel by illegal dealers has contributed to fuel shortages with some re-selling it at exorbitant prices.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has, however, intervened by sourcing 500 million dollars to purchase the essential commodities that are in shortage.

Despite the minister`s assurance, some people continue to engage in panic buying because of the feeling that goods will run out of stock. A local vendor simply called Mrs Machiwenyika confirmed this saying, “I have resorted to buying every basic good that I come across. For instance, I bought 12, bottles of cooking oil at $3.50 each but I am now selling each bottle for 10 dollars.”

Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube upon his arrival from Bali yesterday visited Spar and Pick and Pay supermarkets to assess the prices of basic commodities.

“This shows that our minister has people at heart. He is a hands-on minister who visited the shops to see if what he implemented is going on well,” said Tinashe Chiutsi who was buying his cooking oil delivered in large quantities at the Pick and Pay shop during the minister`s visit.

Professor Ncube had gone to Bali to seek capital in a drive to Zimbabwe economic recovery. African Development Bank, European Union, France, UK, USA, Australia and South Africa all expressed their willingness to support Zimbabwe. IMF and World Bank endorsed Zimbabwe`s arrears clearance plan and the two-year economic recovery Transitional Stabilisation Programme.