NEW: Zera warns public about substandard gas tanks

Online Reporter

THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has banned the use of 48 kg gas cylinders from at least 12 brands, saying some have been smuggled into the country while others are being used for distribution and domestic purposes, contrary to regulations.

Some of the banned cylinders are from Reatile, Wasaa, Tswana, Easigas, Totalgaz, Mendon, Oryx, Eiendon, Kasa, Avedia, ELF Gas and BP.

In a statement on Thursday, Zera said the banned cylinders are unsafe to the public as no one in the country bears responsibility for their maintenance and safety.

“The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) wishes to advise the public that there are some 48kg cylinders that are being used unsafely and illegally for the distribution of LPG in the country,” reads the statement.

“This includes 48 kg cylinders smuggled from neighbouring countries and others whose brand identifications have been tampered with.

“Such cylinders are unsafe as no one in the country bears responsibility for their maintenance and safety.”

In terms of LPG regulations and for safety reasons, only brand owners of 48 kg cylinders or their authorised agents, are entitled to fill and maintain them.

“It is a license condition that LPG wholesalers own and refill their own branded 48 kg cylinders or obtain permission from brand owners if they need to fill cylinders that do not belong to them,” reads the statement.

“Zera will not hesitate to act against wholesalers violating this license condition. Some of the cylinders shown below have no licensed owners in Zimbabwe and some were smuggled from South Africa and Botswana and are circulating in Zimbabwe without the owners’ consent and support.”