Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
Harare provincial magistrate, Ms Lisa Mutendereki, has fined Mount Meru Zimbabwe US$600 after the company was found guilty of selling contaminated fuel.
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) was the complainant in the matter, while the company was represented in court by Hillary Hufa.
The State, led by Mrs Mandirasa Chigumira, said the offence came to light on October 24, 2025, when ZERA inspector, Mr Shakespeare Kunaka, conducted a routine visit to the company’s service station along Cripps Road in Mbare.
During the inspection, Mr Kunaka observed employees selling diesel and introduced himself as a ZERA official before requesting fuel samples for testing.
The samples were analysed in ZERA’s mobile laboratory in the presence of employee, Tichaona Cherai.
Laboratory results revealed that the fuel being sold did not meet the minimum flash point and density standards required under ZWS751.
The diesel had been contaminated with a lighter petroleum product, effectively rendering it substandard blend petrol.
Following the results, the pump dispensing the contaminated fuel was sealed with tamper-evident seals and clearly labelled.
Approximately 9 000 litres of the compromised product were secured at the site under ZERA authority.
The court found that Mount Meru Zimbabwe had no lawful right to sell contaminated fuel, leading to the conviction and subsequent fine.
Online