News / National
Zera arrest 12 illegal fuel and gas dealers
17 Mar 2022 at 11:01hrs | Views
Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority Chief Executive Officer, Edington Mazambani recently said there are two service stations that contravened the law and were reported to the police.
"In 2022, two service stations have been reported to the police so far, one was fined $100 000 whilst the other is still awaiting prosecution," he said.
"In 2021, the authority brought to book 12 sites that violated fuel quality and these were prosecuted , with fines ranging from $20 000 to 200 000. These 12 convictions came after more than 30 ad-hoc fuel tests were carried out by technicians using the mobile fuel tab."
Zera revealed that by the end of last year it had caused the arrest of 66 bogus energy products dealers who had to be fined between $2000 and $30 000.
It warned consumers over bogus dealers, adding that there has been a spike in accidents that were claiming lives and destroying property in the energy sector emanating from unqualified personnel and dealers.
Zera official, Hugh Mlauzi said last year we had 66 cases of bogus dealers who were arrested, using Section 29 of the Petroleum Act.
"The offenders were fined amounts ranging from $2000 to $30000," he said.
He said it's not easy to enforce law for now as people are still applying for the licenses with the energy regulatory company.
Bulawayo and other parts of the country has seen an increase in the bogus dealers who milk desperate residents in Liquified Petroleum gas filling and fuel sellers as the electricity outages continue to affect the citizens.
Mlauzi urged residents to be cautious of illegal energy dealers adding that those who intend to trade in the energy sector must operate and be regularised to avoid mishap.
"We are grading service stations, residents should take note of the places they get their services," he said.
"In 2022, two service stations have been reported to the police so far, one was fined $100 000 whilst the other is still awaiting prosecution," he said.
"In 2021, the authority brought to book 12 sites that violated fuel quality and these were prosecuted , with fines ranging from $20 000 to 200 000. These 12 convictions came after more than 30 ad-hoc fuel tests were carried out by technicians using the mobile fuel tab."
Zera revealed that by the end of last year it had caused the arrest of 66 bogus energy products dealers who had to be fined between $2000 and $30 000.
It warned consumers over bogus dealers, adding that there has been a spike in accidents that were claiming lives and destroying property in the energy sector emanating from unqualified personnel and dealers.
Zera official, Hugh Mlauzi said last year we had 66 cases of bogus dealers who were arrested, using Section 29 of the Petroleum Act.
"The offenders were fined amounts ranging from $2000 to $30000," he said.
He said it's not easy to enforce law for now as people are still applying for the licenses with the energy regulatory company.
Bulawayo and other parts of the country has seen an increase in the bogus dealers who milk desperate residents in Liquified Petroleum gas filling and fuel sellers as the electricity outages continue to affect the citizens.
Mlauzi urged residents to be cautious of illegal energy dealers adding that those who intend to trade in the energy sector must operate and be regularised to avoid mishap.
"We are grading service stations, residents should take note of the places they get their services," he said.
Source - Byo24News
