'Fuel service stations feeding black market'

FUEL stations in Bulawayo have been exposed for feeding the commodity to the black market for sale at distorted prices despite getting foreign currency support from Government.

Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister of State, Judith Ncube, revealed this in Bulawayo yesterday during a packed gathering of business leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals organised by the Zimbabwe West Union Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. She was responding to a concern by participants on why Government keeps threatening to withdraw licences from businesses.

"The answer is simple. We have been going around the city, just to determine on why and what is happening around us as a community. For instance the fuel dealers receive deliveries but they tell motorists that they do not have any supplies. In the middle of the night, ngama 12 or so, you find there are several trucks that come to the same garages to siphon fuel and they sell it at black market," said Minister Ncube.

She could not disclose the names of the implicated garages but said their dirty tactics have been unmasked by the recently established taskforce, which was set up to monitor distribution of basic commodities in the city.

While fuel queues remain noticeable across the city, especially for petrol, Government has said the country has enough fuel stocks that can last beyond the festive season.

"Government is watching, and if this is what we do and it's becoming a culture of not being faithful, Government will definitely cancel your licence.

"The same happens with cooking oil. Retailers purchase cooking oil from United Refineries at $3.40 for two litres but some sell the same commodity for $15. The same with drugs, pharmaceutical players get foreign currency from Government but you find Panadol (painkiller tablets) now sold at $5 and they demand only forex," said Minister Ncube.

"Under such circumstances the Government has to protect its people. We cannot have people coming here to capitalise on the miseries of ordinary people by making people suffer. The Government will take appropriate measures."

At the weekend President Mnangagwa said his administration will not stand by while the public was being abused by greedy retailers and pharmacies who access forex from the central bank but still demand hard currency from ordinary people. He said measures were being taken to clamp down on businesses that promote economic hardships while pursuing profits. Minister Ncube warned businesses against corruption, which she described as a cancer that is destroying the country.

"If no measures are taken, even if there are policies to assist us, if we do not put our heads together to fight corruption, it will keep haunting us as a country," she said.

Minister Ncube admitted the economy was going through a difficult patch and urged Zimbabweans to be patient and join hands with Government in the path to improved transformation. She also urged the church to pray for leadership and commended the Seventh-Day Adventist Church for initiating dialogue on economic matters.

"Often churches focus on spirituality but this platform caters for the economy and business and other spheres that affect us. When the church embraces Government vision and encourages members to participate in the national economy, it promotes good ethics and you know it's business unusual," she said.

Minister Ncube further challenged church leaders to preach integrity and honesty in payment of taxes as well as upholding laws. She warned that businesses who exploit workers and customers risk attracting the wrath of God who hears the cries of the exploited.

The minister said Government was working on creating a conducive climate for businesses and supporting entrepreneurs to realise their dreams.