Vusumuzi Dube
Faith Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
MOTORISTS in Bulawayo have applauded the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority for convicting and fining fuel stations that were selling contaminated fuel saying the authority should consider implementing stiffer penalties and regular checkups.
The motorists who spoke to Sunday News on the latest development which saw 12 stations being sanctioned with various penalties ranging from fines to license cancellations and site closures, said contaminated fuel comes with huge negative impacts like damaging cars.
Mr Fezile Mageba one of the motorists in Bulawayo said it is a very good decision by ZERA to fine these stations because contaminated fuel really affects them as motorists.
“Sometimes you may find that kind of contaminated fuel and it disrupts the whole system inside the tank. In terms of safety protocol, we are at risk because of such things”, said Mr Mageba.
Mr Nkosilathi Mathonsi said he welcomes such a decision because contaminated fuel damages the car faster while the tanks would need regular cleaning.
“I would also urge the ZERA to do regular checkups just to monitor to ensure that as motorists we are safe,” said Mr Mathonsi.
On Monday, ZERA warned fuel retailers against selling contaminated fuel to motorists.
In a statement, the authority said it has intensified fuel quality monitoring and testing at fuel retail sites countrywide in terms of the Petroleum Act Chapter 13:22 and Petroleum (Fuel Quality) Regulations, 2013 to curb quality violations.
“The net is closing in on operators involved in the supply and retail of fuel that does not meet fuel quality specifications and the operators listed below have been sanctioned for the fuel quality offences committed during the first half of 2024,” reads the ZERA statement.
In Bulawayo, Busuman Motors was convicted and fined for selling contaminated diesel.
Bongani Ndlovu