Online ReporterNyasha Motsi
Herald Reporter
The City of Harare has launched a blitz to shut down all illegal gas traders operating in residential areas, following an explosion in Budiriro 3 that left a trader injured.
Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Stanley Gama announced that the city will conduct the crackdown to close illegal LP gas stations, highlighting dangers they pose to the community. By law, all gas vendors must be licensed by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) as well as the municipality.
“The City of Harare will immediately conduct a blitz to rid residential areas of illegal gas merchants who are posing a danger to the residents,” Mr Gama said.
The explosion occurred while the trader was decanting gas into a portable cylinder, resulting in him getting burnt while the fire also extensively damaged the building used for the unlicensed gas business.
Despite a prompt response from the Fire Brigade, the building had already suffered significant damage by the time the firefighters arrived.
The incident has again revealed the urgent need to enforce the regulatory measures to prevent the proliferation of illegal gas operations within the city.
