Fuel dealers smuggle fuel into Mozambique

UNSCRUPULOUS fuel dealers in Chipinge are making brisk business by hoarding fuel from local service stations and smuggling it into the neighbouring Mozambique.

A snap survey by The Manica Post last week revealed that the dealers were using undesignated entry points to transport the precious liquid into Mozambique.

In an interview, one of the fuel dealers, who requested not to be named, said the weakening of bond notes on parallel market meant that Zimbabwean fuel was cheaper than in Mozambique where they get paid in foreign currency.

“Buying fuel in Mozambique is now expensive as compared to Zimbabwe. We buy fuel at local service stations using bond notes and we resell it in Mozambique in meticals or rands. This is profitable in the sense that our bond notes are weak on parallel markets,” he said.

He said dealers usually buy fuel in large quantities whenever it is available to avoid running losses when the commodity becomes scarce like it has been in the past week.

Chipinge Business Initiative chairperson Mr James Gabaza confirmed the development and urged local service stations to distribute fuel equally.

He called for security forces manning the Zimbabwean border with Mozambique to be more vigilant and tighten