HARARE The recent fuel hike in South Africa is set to have a ripple effect across Zimbabwe. The South African energy department announced that the price of all grades of petrol will increase in price by 18 cents a litre.
The wholesale price of diesel with a 0.05 per cent sulphur content will rise by 10 cents a litre. Diesel with 0.005 per cent sulphur content will increase in price by 10 cents a litre. The wholesale price of illuminating paraffin will rise by five cents a litre and the single maximum national retail price for illuminating paraffin will increase by six cents a litre.
Most Zimbabwean fuel dealers get their fuel from South Africa and the only logical way to stay in business is to also increase their prices.
“The wholesalers who bring the fuel from South Africa will put their mark up and we retailers will be forced to do the same,” said Mkhape Sibanda, a service station owner in Bulawayo.
The increase will, however, not have much impact on short distance transporters but will most likely affect the longer routes.
Post published in: Economy