Zimbabwe’s currency woes continue
Everything from fuel to medicines and groceries are in short supply in Zimbabwe following a month-long panic-buying spree sparked by reforms announced by finance minister Mthuli Ncube
After a month-long run on Zimbabwe’s petrol stations, there seems to be more fuel available in Harare this week. The queues have tapered off — but not everyone believes the supply is now reliable. Fuel — 120Ml is imported by the government every month — is a central supply concern, given the foreign currency crisis. As a result, some Mercedes-Benzes seem to be constantly queuing at the pumps. The drivers all say the same thing: their employers don’t trust the stability of the fuel supply, so they will be filling up as often as possible. Demand has been pushed up by informal traders who sell fuel across the borders. At $1.41 a litre when paid for electronically, fuel in Zimbabwe is at least two-thirds cheaper than in Mozambique, Zambia and Botswana. "We did well in Mutare [southeastern Zimbabwe] … Our fuel is much cheaper, so we sold via the mountains into Mozambique," says a small-scale fuel trader. According to energy minister Joram Gumbo, fuel consumption doubled for a 10-day peri...
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