THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has not issued a licence to garages to sell fuel exclusively in foreign currency, an official has said.

This comes as the number of garages demanding payment of fuel in foreign currency
increases.

The garages are hiding behind the fact that Zimbabwe is using a cocktail of currencies but surprisingly they refuse the RTGS dollars. Zera acting chief executive officer Eddington Muzambani said the authority does not issue licences for fuel service stations to sell in foreign currency.

“No fuel service stations have been licensed to sell fuel in foreign currency, such a licence currently does not exist. We verify that those selling in forex would have procured forex on their own,” he said.

However, speaking before a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy last year, Mr Muzambani suggested that the Ministry of Energy and Power Development should allow some players in the fuel industry to sell fuel in foreign currency. He said if more players are allowed to sell fuel in foreign currency, that will improve fuel supply in the country. That is due to the fact that those selling in foreign currency will no longer be relying on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe allocations.

A number of fuel service stations in various parts of the country have since resorted to selling fuel in foreign currency.

“Zera monitors fuel quality in the supply chain and sanctions licences of companies found selling fuel not meeting national fuel quality standards. The public is encouraged to report any service stations suspected of selling poor quality fuel. The public is also advised to desist from buying fuel from unlicensed fuel dealers and from those making bogus and unverified claims,” said Mr Muzambani.State media