Jane Mlambo| Despite assurance by government that the country has adequate fuel stocks, minister of Energy and Power development, Joram Gumbo has threatened to withdraw licenses of service stations that accept jerry cans from motorists, raising questions on the exact situation with regards to fuel supply in the country.

Gumbo told The Chronicle that government was concerned with the uncouth practices in the supply of fuel by some unscrupulous service stations and individuals, who continue to accelerate perceived shortages countrywide.

“Those using tanks, drums and jerry cans all, those forms of containers should stop and we are sending out inspectors and the Zimbabwe Republic Police and if anybody is going to be found maybe overcharging or using drums might have their licences withdrawn. We are not going to allow that,” said Dr Gumbo.

He also said Government would not hesitate to crack the whip on errant oil companies that are demanding motorists to pay for fuel in foreign currency.

“We also had to warn some of the companies that we heard were demanding forex for fuel because it’s not their responsibility because the forex that we use to buy fuel from Msasa or Mabvuku or international companies is sourced by Government. So, there is no point in an individual company demanding payment for fuel in foreign currency and some of them were saying they were only serving their clients with coupons from their companies that should not happen,” said Dr Gumbo.

If there is adequate fuel as noted by Gumbo why move to limit people. Is it in line with free market economic?