Glimmer of hope this festive season
Even though bus fares have increased marginally due to fuel challenges, a survey conducted by The Sunday Mail in Harare revealed that a sizeable number of people are heading to their rural homes for Christmas.
DESPITE the energy-sapping challenges facing the economy, which have affected consumers’ buying power, an incredibly dominant willpower seem to be driving a significant part of the population, which is willing to make the most out of the circumstances, particularly this festive season.
Government has also provided a ray of hope by assuring the market that it is making arrangements to increase fuel supplies during the festive season.
Some retailers have been coming up with significant discounts to try and drive stock.
Prices of basic commodities rose to unprecedented levels in the last two months, and fuel shortages have resulted in long queues becoming the order of the day.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail last week, Energy and Power Development Minister Dr Jorum Gumbo said the ministry is working on processes to increase the supply of fuel during the festive season.
“As a ministry, we have been engaging some fuel suppliers ahead of the festive season to make sure that we are fully stocked and will be able to fill up gaps existing in the market.
“So measures are being put in place for more forex to be released ahead of Christmas and New Year holidays so that the supply is increased. The fuel is there at Msasa and Mabvuku in full stock,” he said.
Encouragingly, Minister Gumbo said fuel is stocked in bonded warehouses Harare instead of Beira, so the onus was on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to inject more foreign currency for fuel.
“This is what people and the media need to understand, Government has made arrangements to provide bonded warehouse at Mabvuku and Msasa depots and fuel is fully stocked there.
“What everybody seems not to understand is that fuel is there but cannot be
- (Picture by Tawanda Mudimu) released into the market now because it however bemoaned punitive has to be accessed through forex. The only prices being levied on consumers. advantage here is that it is now within the “The pricing which is being witnessed country. is not phenomenal and relevant.
“Fuel companies can now access fuel “Considering children are on holiday immediately after paying in forex and if and that we are in the festive season, they RBZ can release money today, say Total, will be at home always and would want to Zuva, Puma today, they can just go to be fed, this is going to be a little bit difficult Msasa to collect the fuel,” he said. considering that prices have gone three
The availability of basic food stuffs has times higher. improved in major retail outlets like OK, “We, as Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, Pick n Pay and Food World, raising hopes engage with relevant authorities of a better Christmas. all the time and recently we attended a meeting aimed at addressing the situation ahead of Christmas,” she said.
Even though bus fares have increased marginally due to fuel challenges, a survey conducted by The Sunday Mail in Harare revealed that a sizeable number of people
Prices of basics have also stabilised, even though consumers are still hoarding select groceries.
Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) executive director Ms Rosemary Siyachitema are heading to their rural homes for Christmas.
At Mbare Musika, most rural bound buses were packed to capacity as it has become a tradition for most people to visit their rural homes during this period.
One traveller, Margret Madondo, said: “I am going to the rural areas in Makoni, Haisvosvi Village, to spend the Christmas holiday with my mother and other siblings.
“Due to tight schedules and work commitments, I usually can’t get the time to go and visit our rural home as we have to at times go and visit my in-laws in Buhera,” she said.
Transport operators say fare hikes experienced recently are mainly to offset time spent in fuel queues and high prices being charged on the black market.
The Harare to Bulawayo route now costs an average of $25 in budget buses, up from $15 in September.
Those with an affinity for leisure and comfort will have to part ways with between $40 and $50 charged by luxury coaches on the same route.
Harare to Gweru is at $18, Mutare $15, Rusape $9, Karoi $10, Zhombe $14 and Bindura at around $6 to $8.
The Harare to Johannesburg route now costs between 350 rand and 400 rand.
Those who are accepting mobile money transfers and bond notes are charging between $75 and $80.
Luxury coaches on the Harare-Johannesburg route are charging US$40 to US$50, or $150 for those paying in bond notes.
The Harare-Lusaka route is pegged at US$20 or $50 if one pays in bond note and plastic money.