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MDC Alliance has hit out on the continuous increase in fuel prices for the third time in a year which has been hurting the poor, in a country hit hard by an economic crisis for years.
New fuel prices are piling pressure on already struggling companies while adding more misery to the suffering masses.
Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority(ZERA) has been increasing fuel prices for the third time since the beginning of the year.
The maximum pump price for a litre of diesel is now ZWLSI11.77 from ZWLS110.41 but the price in USD remains unchanged at USDS1.32 while price of petrol per litre is now ZWLS 112.96 from ZWLS 109.17 and USD$1.34 from USD$I.30.
Justifying the increase ZERA has been citing an increase in oil prices.
In a statement on Wednesday MDC Alliance Secretary for Energy and Power Development Jasmine Toffa blasted the increase of fuel prices in an inflationary environment which has been hitting hard on the poor citizens.
“ There can be no doubt that the unending increase in fuel prices are hurting the poor as they have a multiplier effect on the cost model of our economy and this has an inflation impact.”
“The new fuel prices are piling pressure on already struggling companies while adding more misery to the suffering masses. For firms to keep afloat, stability in fuel prices is key.”
The opposition official said the continuous increase in fuel prices are being effected in a country going through its worst economic crisis in years, marked by high inflation, food and medical shortages.
He noted the increase is grossly unreasonable in a region were other countries charge less as compared to Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe’s fuel is the most expensive in SADC after Malawi (USS1,15),South Africa (USS1,07), Zambia (US$0,97), Mozambique (USS0,90), Tanzania (USSO,85),Namibia (USS0,85) and Botswana (USS0,73),” he said.
He called for the justification of fuel prices.
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