ZERA partners firm to raise LPG safety awareness

Ivan Zhakata-Features Correspondent

WHEN 14-year-old Tinashe Ncube (not his real name) lit the stove that morning in Glen View, he was thinking only of breakfast.

In seconds, his world turned upside down.

A leaking gas cylinder exploded, killing his mother instantly and leaving him with severe burns that he will carry for life.

It was just one of dozens of gas-related accidents reported across Zimbabwe in recent years—tragic reminders of a growing, but largely unregulated liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market.

As more households turn to gas to cope with electricity shortages, the risks from substandard or poorly maintained equipment have never been greater.

Now, a new local company, Dynamic Gas Investments, is stepping up to help prevent such tragedies—through rigorous safety testing, public education, and a hands-on partnership with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) and the Government.

“We saw too many lives being lost—children, parents, whole families,” said Mr Tafadzwa Motsi, director of Dynamic Gas Investments.

“It was not just numbers in a report. It was heartbreaking stories. We knew we had to do something to help.”

Dynamic Gas Investments, though new to the industry, has already carved out a critical role in promoting LPG safety.

The company offers pressure testing for both domestic and industrial gas cylinders, ensuring they are safe and leak-free before being distributed or reused.

They also work hand-in-hand with authorities to remove condemned and confiscated cylinders from circulation.

“Our work is aligned with the efforts of ZERA and Government to clean up the gas industry and reduce these horrifying incidents,” says Mr Motsi.

“We are not here to compete—we are here to complement, to support and to save lives.”

In 2023 alone, Zimbabwe saw over 50 serious gas-related incidents reported in the media, many involving poorly maintained or illegally resold gas cylinders.

In one of the worst cases, a mother of three in Bulawayo was killed when her kitchen went up in flames after a spark ignited leaking gas from an expired tank.

The blast destroyed half her home and left her children orphaned.

“These deaths are avoidable,” Mr Motsi said. “That is the hardest part. With proper cylinder testing, training and enforcement, they do not have to happen.”

Beyond testing and scrapping old tanks, Dynamic Gas Investments is putting energy into education.

Their technicians are conducting training sessions across communities—showing people how to safely store, handle and use gas.

They also train retailers and industrial users to ensure safe practices are followed from source to stove.

“We take safety to the people. Whether it is in our workshop or on-site in the communities, we want everyone to know how to handle gas responsibly.”

ZERA, the country’s national energy regulator has welcomed the company’s contribution, saying that public-private partnerships were essential in reaching informal markets where dangerous cylinders are often sold.

Early this year ZERA issued a stern warning against the door-to-door filling of LPG, saying it was illegal.

In a statement, the regulator said filling of LPG must be done at inspected, designated and licensed sites.

“Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority wishes to advise the public that door-to-door or mobile filling of LPG at homes is illegal and unsafe,” reads the statement.

“Filling premises for LPG need to be inspected and approved by respective local authority fire departments. ZERA has witnessed many accidents caused by mishandling of LPG in homes and dwellings. Such accidents have caused injury, death, and damage to property.

“LPG regulations and the standards require that retail filling of LPG be done at inspected, designated and licensed sites, and refilling of LPG cylinders be done by fillers who have undergone ZERA approved training. There is no operator who is licensed to conduct filling of LPG at people’s homes and anyone doing so should be reported to ZERA or the police for endangering public safety and operating without a license.”

ZERA said only delivery of pre-filled cylinders and collection of empty cylinders by licensed retailers for refilling at licensed premises is permitted.

For families like the Ncubes, the difference is already being felt.

Following the Glen View explosion, Dynamic Gas Investments donated a tested, safe cylinder and provided free training to neighbours in the area.

Tinashe, now recovering, was one of those who attended.

“I did not know it was that dangerous. Now I do. I wish we had known earlier,” he said.

Mr Motsi said it was stories like Tinashe’s that fuel the company’s mission.

“If we can save even one life—just one—then everything we are doing is worth it.”