By Shongedzai Mugwagwa

Minister of Energy and Power Development, Dr Joram Gumbo has dispelled rumours of fuel price hikes doing rounds on social media, the Harare Post can report.

Motorists woke up to disturbing message circulating on  social media alleging that fuel retailers held a closed door meeting with Government officials to discuss on  further hiking fuel price by almost 100%.

Dr Gumbo this morning dispelled and refuted the messages spreading labelling them as mere rumours meant to cause alarm and despondency in the country.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has released the fuel prices for the week ending 2 March 2019 and 9 March 2019. The statement released concurred with Dr Gumbo‘s sentiments as it ruled out the rumours as fake.

Government has revised the country’s fuel pricing model to place it on the same level with regional standards and halt gross overcharging of petroleum products by some unscrupulous dealers.

According to the newly gazetted fuel prices, pump price for petrol for the week ending on 2 March 2019 will remain at $3.34 whilst diesel will be priced at $3.16. For the week starting 4 March 2019, petrol pump price will go up by a cent to $3.35 whilst diesel will be pegged at $3.17.

Recently, winding queues emerged but the Minster said there was enough fuel in the country. He, however, acknowledge the scarce availability of foreign currency.

He warned that prices have normalised as they tally with the region pricing and the international status quo of oil prices.