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Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
The illegal trade of 48kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders from South Africa is booming in Zimbabwe, thereby posing significant safety risks to the public.
These cylinders, rented from South African wholesalers, are being smuggled into the country and are being sold at exorbitant prices by unlicensed vendors.
The influx of these smuggled cylinders has created a thriving black market, with gas being sold openly on street corners without proper safety precautions.
This reckless disregard for safety regulations has raised concerns among industry experts and authorities alike.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association of Zimbabwe chairperson, Mr Robert Mandeya emphasised the dangers associated with the smuggled cylinders, which have not undergone necessary safety checks.
Mr Mandeya said there is need for collaborative effort involving Government agencies, industry stakeholders, and border control authorities to address the issue.
“Given the magnitude of the problem, ZERA alone cannot manage to deal with it,” he said.
“There is need for a wider stakeholder engagement and coordinated approach involving LPG industry, ZERA, police, Environmental Management Agency, local authorities, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) as well as the South African Border Control Authorities to combat this scourge.”
ZERA acknowledged the problem and has taken steps to curb the illegal trade, including imposing stricter regulations on LPG wholesalers and conducting enforcement operations.
However, the problem remains a challenge.
ZERA chief executive officer, Mr Edington Mazambani said: “ZERA raised the concern on smuggled cylinders in 2022 and has reviewed licence conditions for LPG wholesalers to acquire own branded cylinders for resell to LPG retailers.
“All LPG wholesalers now have their own cylinders that they are leasing to their retailers and ZERA is now requiring that LPG retailers have supply agreements for LPG and LPG cylinders with LPG wholesalers. This will eventually cut off the supply of cylinders to illegal dealers.
“ZERA and ZRP are conducting enforcement blitzes against wholesalers and retailers using smuggled cylinders. So far, ZERA has confiscated 300X48kg smuggled cylinders from illegal LPG dealers for destruction.
“ZERA has engaged the South African LPG brand owners of 48kg cylinders and they have agreed to tighten control of their cylinders to prevent them from being smuggled into Zimbabwe,” he said.
Mr Mazambani said in Zimbabwe, there are two models of cylinder ownership and control, which are the customer-owned, customer-controlled and the marketer-owned, marketer-controlled models.
“Under the first model, customers own their cylinders which they take to licensed retailers for LPG filling,” he said.
“Licensed retailers employ trained fillers who inspect customer’s cylinders before filling. This model is ideal for low-income earners who sometimes request partial refills. In the second model, customers pay a deposit to LPG wholesalers to access a cylinder that remains the property of the company.
“Under this scheme, the company sells prefilled and sealed cylinders only. This model is used mainly by corporates and high-income earners.”
As the demand for affordable cooking fuel continues to rise, authorities face the daunting task of ensuring public safety.
Online Reporter