Kombi operators reject ZiG

DESPITE earlier pledges to accept the newly-introduced Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency, commuter omnibus operators in Bulawayo have changed goal posts and are now refusing the local currency saying they will not be able to buy fuel which is exclusively sold in forex.

They, however, said they will accept ZiG once Government comes up with a system whereby some fuel stations sell fuel in local currency.

In separate interviews yesterday, two of the city’s biggest transport co-operatives, Tshova Mubaiwa Transport Co-op and Bulawayo Public Transporters Association (Bupta) said they stand ready to embrace the new currency but they were finding themselves in a Catch-22 situation.

“ZiG is our national currency and accepting it must never be an option. We however find ourselves between a rock and a hard surface as refusing it is seen as sabotaging Government efforts to revive the economy and accepting it pushes us out of business,” said Tshova Mubaiwa Transport Co-op chairperson Mr Atlas Moyo.

He said the best way forward was for Government to have fuel stations that sell fuel in local currency where only registered operators can buy fuel.

Mr Moyo said without such an arrangement, it will be difficult for operators to accept local currency.

“We don’t want a situation where we will become a dumping ground for the ZiG currency and customers of illegal money changers. Where are we going to take the local currency to if we cannot buy fuel or spares using it? We will engage the relevant Government ministry and department to raise these concerns,” said Mr Moyo.

Bupta director of legal affairs, Mr Morgan Msipha echoed the same sentiments saying while accepting the new currency was not a problem, they fear they will be out of business after failing to buy fuel or spares.

“As we speak right now, we are not sure if any of our fuel garages will accept this currency hence the need for wider consultations with all stakeholders involved. Let me make it clear that we are not saying no to the ZiG but merely highlighting an obvious situation on the ground, that of fuel stations not accepting it,” said Mr Msipha.

A kombi driver with Bulawayo City Transit Trust (BCTT), who, however, refused to be named, said his employer informed them not to accept the ZiG currency.

While operators are calling on the Government to have dedicated fuel stations that will accept ZiG such an arrangement has been abused in the past by operators who bought fuel using local currency and sold it on the black market.

Bulawayo Residents Association (Bura) chairperson Mr Winos Dube sided supported Kombi operators saying Government must create a conducive operating climate for the transport sector so that they continue being in business.

“It’s the hard but honest reality what the operators are saying, yes we all embrace the new currency but if fuel garages are not accepting ZiG, where will they get fuel for them to continue providng the service?

“We asked the same questions to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe team, which is on an awareness campaign and I am happy with what they said on measures being put in place by Government,” said Mr Dube.

In an interview with Zimpapers’ Star FM radio yesterday, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu said it will be in the best interest of fuel stations to start accepting ZiG currency because tax returns will be 50 percent in local currency come June-July.

“We are in a multi-currency regime, nothing is stopping a fuel dealer selling their fuel partly in ZiG and partly in any other currency,” he said.

“If the fuel dealer is not selling the fuel in ZiG, they will find themselves in a situation whereby they will be looking for ZiG, come June or July to pay tax. Iam warning them that when we get to June-July, the ZiG rate may actually strengthen such that they will lose out.”