adminHarare Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has dispelled media reports that fuel prices have gone up.
Some sections of the media, in a bid to cause alarm and despondency, following President Mugabe and Zanu-PF’s resounding win in the just-ended harmonised elections have been writing unfounded stories of an impending economic downturn following the poll results.
Some newspapers reportedly claimed petrol was now selling at $1,70 per litre and diesel $1,50.
Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Zera chief executive, Engineer Gloria Magombo, described the reports as mischievous and bent at instigating unnecessary and unjustified fuel hikes not related to any cost drivers.
“Zera views such reports as trying to instigate unnecessary fuel price hikes not at all related to any changes in the cost drivers of fuel and are not in any way linked to the outcome of the just-ended harmonised elections,” she said.
Eng Magombo added that a snap survey carried out by the regulatory authority’s monitoring and compliance team has revealed that prices of fuel being charged by fuel stations have remained unchanged.
“Our survey has actually revealed that the prices of fuel at service stations have not changed and therefore Zera does not expect any upward movement in the prices of fuels especially taking into cognisance the fact that the international crude oil prices have generally remained stable.
“In Harare yesterday, prices of petrol ranged from $1,48 to $1,51 while those of diesel ranged from $1,33 and $1,35,” said Eng Magombo.
In Bulawayo prices yesterday were also unchanged with the price of fuel ranging from $1,52 to $1,55 for petrol while diesel ranged from $1,35 to $1,40.
Eng Magombo warned unscrupulous fuel dealers who might want to create confusion and take advantage of customers by charging exorbitant prices saying that her organisation was closely monitoring events on the market and that those found wanting would be penalised.
“One of the key mandates of Zera is to ensure that petroleum prices are fair to both consumers and the licence operators and that they comply with Statutory Instrument 83 of 2009.
“Zera will thus continue to monitor the fuel prices and any fuel licensees who charge beyond the price allowable in terms of SI 83 of 2009: Control of Goods (Petroleum Prices) will have their licences cancelled in terms of the Petroleum Act,” she said.
Online Reporter