Motorists are being forced to fork out as much as $15 for a five litre container of petrol, with vendors taking full advantage of the shortage.
“There has been no supply of fuel to the three stations servicing Sanyati for some time and we are forced to rely on theblack market,” said a local motorist, Roll Khumalo from Chidhuza village.
Khumalo operates a transportation business and has no choice but to pay the hefty black market fees. Local farmers have also been affected by the shortage, with some finding it impossible to locate enough diesels to maintain operations.
“I have been unable to find any diesel at Sanyati growth point,” one farmer said. “I do not know what is happening, but I sincerely hope that this does not mark the return of the situation we had several years ago.” Between 2006 and 2009, Zimbabwe faced its worst economic crisis, resulting in a shortage of most basic commodities, including fuel. This gave rise to a thriving black market and the queues at petrol stations attracted international attention.
The current situation seems to be affecting mostly rural areas where taxi drivers and farmers rely on a regular supply of fuel.
Post published in: News