Toxic fuel scandal rocks Zimbabwe: ZERA resorts to naming and shaming service stations selling contaminated fuel

0Shares

Despite a government directive mandating the blending of anhydrous ethanol with petrol, several fuel companies in Zimbabwe are continuing to sell unleaded petrol, defying the law.

This revelation comes from a recent survey conducted by Business Times, which found that prominent service stations like Puma, Trek, Zuva, DA and Redan are still offering unleaded petrol, despite the ban implemented on September 1, 2024.

The government’s decision to outlaw unleaded petrol was driven by two key factors: promoting the use of ethanol blends and combating the rampant issue of contaminated fuel, which has reached alarming levels in the country.

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has confirmed that all fuel transported through pipelines is blended before being uplifted from either Feruka or Msasa depots. However, the authority is facing an uphill battle in enforcing compliance, as evidenced by the continued sale of unleaded petrol at several service stations.

“Government has not relaxed the fuel blending regulations,” stated ZERA CEO, Edington Mazambani, in an interview with Business Times.

“ZERA, through fuel quality compliance checks, monitors adherence to the specifications outlined in fuel quality regulations.”

Despite the challenges, ZERA is taking a firm stance against non-compliance. The authority has already convicted and fined 12 fuel stations and revoked one operating licence for selling contaminated fuel in the past month.

Mazambani highlighted that ZERA is intensifying its crackdown on fuel companies, with a focus on strengthening its enforcement mechanisms.

“ZERA is sharpening enforcement and regulatory tools by initiating, developing and reviewing fuel quality standards and regulations to make punishments more deterrent,” he explained.

To further enhance its monitoring capabilities, ZERA is establishing regional offices and working closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to enforce fuel quality regulations, which includes site closures and arrests of operators.

In a bid to increase consumer awareness and encourage compliance, ZERA has announced its intention to publicly name and shame fuel service stations found to be selling contaminated fuel.

“ZERA has always conducted fuel quality monitoring in the market with a zero tolerance to fuel contamination and adulteration,” Mazambani emphasised.

“The naming of those service stations caught with contaminated fuel is meant to raise consumer awareness and encourage service stations to comply with set fuel quality standards and specifications.”

The issue of contaminated fuel is not confined to Harare, as ZERA’s data reveals that fuel stations in Bulawayo, Mutare, Masvingo, Ruwa, and Marondera have also been prosecuted for selling contaminated fuel between January and June 2024.

ZERA’s stance on fuel quality is rooted in the Petroleum Act (Chapter 13:22) and Petroleum (Fuel Quality) Regulations, which mandate regular monitoring across the country to ensure that fuel sold at retail sites meets national fuel quality standards.

The ongoing defiance of the ethanol blending law by several fuel companies raises concerns about the government’s ability to effectively enforce its regulations and protect consumers from the risks associated with contaminated fuel.