Chaos at filling stations as rogue touts distort ques.

Amid the fuel crisis in Zimbabwe, some rogue touts have started causing havoc at fuel ques. So aggressive are these unruly characters that even petrol attendants simply let them be. The drill is that for one to get fuel quickly and easily without joining the que like all the others, they have to engage the services of such touts.

A small fee can be paid for one to jump the que and get in the front of the line without any hassles. This publication has it on good authority that the misconduct is mainly done at Zuva service stations where ordinary civilians Mann the question and challenge the petrol attendants. They then negotiate for their “customers” to get at the front of the ques regardless if the fact that some innocent citizens would have waited for hours on end to get to the pumps.

An incident at Zuva service station along Fourth Street last week confirmed fears of lawlessness and unruly behaviour wherein the touts were openly asking other motorists to pave way for their own “customers” who would be paid them to jump the que. When some motorists tried to question the arrangement they were threatened right in front of the petrol attendants who merely stood watch and ignored as if that was the normal way in which business is done at Zuva.

Others, however, simply gave up and helplessly watched the selected cars overtake them and get fuel first. The fuel situation in Zimbabwe is chaotic and fuel has now being a special commodity. It is very scarce and expensive. One has to dedicate long hours if not the whole day to get fuel, making it an impossible task to travel long distances least one finds themself without the precious liquid again.