Zera shuts down garages amid fuel contamination scandal

SEVERAL oil firms and refuelling outlets have been shut down in an extensive Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) crackdown on deliberate contamination of fuel with dangerous chemicals to increase volumes, the Zimbabwe Independent can reveal.

Edington Muzambani, chief executive officer at Zera, confirmed this week that the regulator had dispatched crack teams countrywide to probe fuel contamination, following a rise in complaints by motorists.

He said eight petroleum outlets were prosecuted, with several sites closed after the probe. Zera investigations exposed how delinquent petroleum firms were diluting fuel with turpentine, a chemical imported from South Africa.

“ ere are alterations of fuel by some petrol chemicals mainly coming out of South Africa,” Mazambani said, speaking exclusively to the Independent.

“Turpentine is coming into the market and is being used to adulterate our fuel in the country. is is a problem that is emerging in the fuel sector at the moment.”

Turpentine is a yellow-coloured, sticky liquid that comes from pine gum or pine wood. It turns into vapour very easily, and can easily explode into balls of fire.

When used in vehicles, turpentine is dangerous and damages some engine component. Mazambani said headways had been achieved in fighting fuel sector delinquency.

Turpentine is coming into the market and is being used to adulterate our fuel in the country. is is a problem that is emerging in the fuel sector at the moment.

“We are on top of (the situation) because we have a mobile lab, which is moving throughout the country conducting tests for the quality of fuel,” he said.

“We have actually closed a number of sites for adulteration when we had tests either through our compliance work or complaints lodged by consumers.”

In its 2022 annual report released recently, Zera revealed that eight companies were convicted for deliberately contaminating fuel during the period. ose netted in the crackdown were directed to compensate affected motorists, the report added.

“ e eight oil companies found with contaminated fuel were prosecuted for violating fuel quality regulations. After conviction they paid fines ranging from ZW$60 000 to ZW$200 000,” the report added.

“Zera also facilitated the compensation of six motorists whose cars had been filled with contaminated fuel. e authority is rolling out systems audits at fuel retail sites to minimise fuel contamination issues at the forecourts using petroleum industry best practices.”

e report said “a total of 552 fuel retail sites were visited countrywide in 2022 and 984 samples were taken for testing. One blend and seven D50 samples failed the tests due to water contamination and low flashpoint respectively.”

Zera also netted 149 illegal fuel and LP gas traders during the year.

It said those netted were either operating without valid Zera licences or charging above regulator prescribed prices.

Illegal traders have flooded the petroleum (LP) gas market following boom stemming from rolling power blackouts countrywide, which have grounded industries and hit domestic consumers.

“I think our compliance work is bearing fruit and we will continue to be on the lookout for illegal dealers. ere was a 25% increase in cases filed for prosecution in 2022 and this is attributed to the number of new ‘unlicenced’ LPG operators, who set up operations without fully regularising their businesses,” Mazambani said, commenting on issues raised in the report .

Zera’s report said 90% of prosecuted operators were able to regularise their operations during the period under review. US$1:ZW$5 382 as September 28 and US$1:ZW$684 at December 30 2022