By Derick Tsimba

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) is shutting down errant fuel retail outlets with close to four already shut down for violating their licences.

The violations by the errant fuel service stations include over blending petrol with ethanol and under throwing fuel pumps to reflect more fuel than the actual poured into vehicles, The Harare Post can report.

These actions by fuel providers are resulting in consumers being ripped off by the greedy oil company owners who are after profits at the expense of good business ethics.

The affected four fuel retail outlets include Trek Petroleum in Mutare, which is owned by Innocent Mugwisi. Mugwisi’s service station has been over blending petrol with ethanol at 29%.

Raindrops Petroleum in Zaka Jerera, which is owned by Nelson Sambureni was also blending petrol with ethanol at 69%, well above the 20% ethanol blending ration as stipulated by ZERA.

In Harare, Puma Kenneth Kaunda Avenue which is owned by Yacoob Surtee was closed by ZERA on 15 September 2019 for under throwing fuel.

MAPS Petroleum in Mufakose owned by Boza Mapiro was closed for not accepting other modes of payment, rather than cash for fuel payments.

Harare Post has it on good ground that ZERA is now on the lookout for unscrupulous dealings by fuel providers. Service stations should adhere to their licence requirements and operate within the confines of the law.