Consumer watchdog pushes for local currency fuel

REGIS CHINGAWO IN MASVINGO

The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) is pushing the government to put in place measures that will force service stations that access forex from the auction system to sell their fuel in local currency.

This follows an outcry from motorists in the city who said they were battling purchasing fuel that is

being sold in forex.

Service stations continue to sell their fuel in foreign currency despite accessing the hard cash from the

foreign currency auction system.

“We are urging the government through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to put regulations that

allow service stations in the country to sell fuel in local currency,” CCZ regional manager for Masvingo

Province, Ndumiso Mgutshini, told Business Times.

He added: “The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has put in measures that ensure that some service stations get

forex through the auction system.

These must not put the burden on motorists and must sell the fuel in local currency.”

Some motorists in Masvingo have cried foul over the selling of fuel in forex, saying that they are failing to make ends meet during this time of economic hardships.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority in Masvingo says tourism has been boosted following the relaxation of lockdown regulations.

In an interview with Business Times, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority provincial manager, Daniel Mpande said hotel occupancy in July stood at 6% but increased to 15% in August.

“Occupancies for hotels in Masvingo have been depressed due to the Covid 19 induced restrictions

which are not limited to curfews but also intercity travel.

“If we are to look at the percentage of room occupancies for the month of July which stood at 9% which is extremely bad for the sector, then we look at August which recorded an increase of 6 percentage points to clock off at 15% and this is attributed to the relaxations that took place as well as the opening up of restaurants as well,” Mpande said.

He added: “We expect our occupancies to rise in the month of September as a lot of travel and workshops are being held.”

Masvingo province has tourist attractions such as Great Zimbabwe monuments, Gonarezhou national

park, Save Conservancy, and Mutirikwi National Park.

According to the UN, the impact of Covid-19 on tourism will cost the world economy US$4 trillion, with developing countries among the most affected ones.