The Sunday News
Tinomuda Chakanyuka, Sunday News Reporter
THE country has enough stocks of fuel and motorists should not panic, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya said yesterday.
Dr Mangudya’s assurance comes at a time when some fuel stations in Bulawayo are reported to have run out of diesel. He said RBZ has arranged to ensure that there is sufficient fuel to cater for the coming holidays.
“As previously advised by the Ministry of Energy and Power Development we have sufficient fuel within the economy. The Reserve Bank has arranged to ensure that there is sufficient fuel for motorists during the festive season,” he said.
A snap survey conducted by Sunday News in Bulawayo’s Central Business District showed that a majority of fuel stations did not have diesel in stock. Petrol attendants said they had not stocked diesel for more than a week and were not certain when they would restock.
“We haven’t had diesel since Friday last week and we are not sure when we are going to restock. Maybe Monday (tomorrow) we are not certain,” said a fuel attendant.
In Gweru shortages are already being experienced as some fuel stations did not have the commodity for the greater part of last week.
Fuel dealers in the country import diesel and petrol using hard currency and have been complaining that of late they have been having difficulties accessing the money.
However, some analysts believe the foreign currency shortages are a result of speculative behaviour by traders who are holding on to their hard currency. To ease cash shortages the country has since started using bond notes which have been welcomed by businesses including service stations.
