Impose stiff penalties on unscrupulous fuel dealers
The government ought to take severe action against dishonest fuel dealers who have disregarded administration orders and are still breaking the law by selling poisonous and unleaded fuel.
The government introduced Statutory Instrument 150 of 2024, which mandates the mandatory blending of anhydrous ethanol with petrol , outlawing the sale of unleaded fuel as of September 1, 2024.
The law also aims to reduce the proliferation of contaminated fuel.
Government should not be relax in implementing the fuel blending regulations.
Last month, ZERA convicted and fined 12 fuel stations and cancelled one operating licence for selling contaminated fuel.
Additionally, toxic or contaminated fuel has flooded the Zimbabwe market with ZERA saying it has reached unprecedented levels.
We implore the authorities to intensify its crackdown on fuel companies.
“ZERA is sharpening enforcement and regulatory tools by initiating, developing and reviewing fuel quality standards and regulations to make punishments more deterrent. ZERA is increasing its monitoring and enforcement capacity by establishing and adequately manning regional offices to increase frequency of random testing and responsiveness to complaints. ZERA is working closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to enforce fuel quality regulations through site closures and arrests of operators,” ZERA CEO Eddington Mazambani said.
