Fuel prices decrease

Zimbabweans are slightly relieved at the announcement made by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) of new fuel prices effective Thursday 5 November 2020. There has been a slight decrease in both petrol and diesel prices in Rtgs currency. This comes at a time when the global fuel prices have also fallen down.

The new price for diesel is now ZWL$82.05 and US$1.00 per litre. This represents a marginal decrease from last month’s price of ZWL$81.85 while the USD price has remained the same at US$1.00.For petrol, the price per litre is now ZWL$97.11 and US$1.19. This in effect means the price has fallen from ZWL$97.62 to ZWL$97.11 and from US$1.20 to US$1.19 per litre. Some have scoffed at the decrease and called it insignificant.

In a public notice on Thursday morning, ZERA said operators may, however, sell at prices below the cap depending on their trading advantages. Fuel is one of the most expensive commodities in Zimbabwe. Most service stations are selling it in USD currency which has caused untold hardship for motorists most of whom earn in local currency. It is very rare to find rtgs fuel. Motorists have said the slight decrease is not going to change much because of the alternate increase in toll gate fees. The cost of travelling is still going to be high. An announcement made earlier in the week was to the effect that toll gate fees will be increased this week.

Fuel remains one of the most priced items in the country and the current transport crisis is not likely to improve any time soon.

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