Black market fuel dealers resurface in Bulawayo

Black market fuel dealers have once again resurfaced in Bulawayo due to the erratic fuel supplies on the formal market.

A survey conducted by CITE revealed that most motorists had resorted to buying fuel from the black market as most garages in the city had run dry.

The black market dealers have taken advantage of fuel shortages to hike prices.

The dealers said they were selling 5 litres of petrol for as much as $10.

Public transport drivers said they now rely on the black market because garages do not have fuel.

“We buy fuel on the black market because garages are dry and if ever there is fuel the queues would be very long,” said Moses Dube, a public transport driver.

Some motorists said they opt for the black market fuel because it lasts longer as it is unblended.

“The fuel is unlike the one we buy in garages. This one lasts longer and does not damage our engines,” said one driver, who identified himself as Mr Nyoni.

The fuel dealers said they source the commodity from Botswana at P7,70 (USD 0.77) a litre.

In Zimbabwe, a litre of petrol is pegged at $1.43.

Motorists said they are forced to purchase fuel from the black as some of their business rely on fuel.

“We just have to buy the fuel because that is how we put food on the table,” said Nyoni.

Some of the garages in the city which still had fuel had hiked their prices due to demand, with petrol being sold at $1.71 per litre.