Harare – Transport Minister Felix Mhona has defended the government’s contentious decision to ban unleaded fuel, citing concerns over mislabeled products, but motorists and oil importers remain outraged, suspecting the move is designed to protect ethanol producer Green Fuel.
The Minister made the remarks in Parliament last week, addressing concerns raised by MPs who suggested that the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe (NOIC) should sell unleaded petrol to stop private players from doing so and ensure an authentic product.
“….following that pronouncement and outcry from the citizenry, what I wanted to do was to allay the fears of the House and the citizenry that we were now having people conniving and purporting to be selling unleaded fuel whilst they were busy blending on their own,” Mhona said.
“As a result, this is jeopardising the engines of those bonafide motorists who were thinking that they were buying unleaded fuel.
“I am sure with the advent of this policy, it therefore gives confidence to the motorists that the moment you start buying unleaded, you would know that this is now a product of the blended and what we now have as the ethanol, given the quantities that are coming though the ethanol versus the blend and for the people of Zimbabwe, now you would be assured that what you are getting is what you are paying for, unlike the current scenario where people were being misrepresented that they were buying unleaded fuel whilst they were buying another product unknown to themselves.”
The ban has, however, sparked outrage among motorists, who argue that they should have the freedom to choose their preferred fuel type.
The decision, announced through Statutory Instrument 150 of 2024, prioritises the use of blended fuel with anhydrous ethanol, citing environmental concerns.
The ban has raised suspicions that it was designed to shield Green Fuel’s operations, which employs around 3,000 workers and is co-owned by the state-run Agricultural Rural Development Authority and businessman Billy Rautenbach, a controversial businessman linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The move, which sparked outrage among oil importers, including Direct Fuel Import (DFI), comes after Green Fuel retrenched a significant number of employees in July due to declining blended fuel sales.
“This ban is a textbook example of crony capitalism,” a source told Nehanda Radio.
“The government is using its power to protect the interests of Green Fuel and its owner, Billy (Rautenbach) who have significant political connections. The fact that Billy Rautenbach is involved should raise red flags. Motorists and the environment are being sacrificed for the benefit of a well-connected few.”
Prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono also accused Mnangagwa of protecting Rautenbach’s fuel bleeding monopoly through the ban.
“Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime has banned the sale of unleaded petrol in Zimbabwe using statutory instrument 150 of 2024,” Chin’ono said.
“Why?
“The answer is very simple, his close friend Billy Rautenbach owns Greenfuels, which blends petrol and makes millions a day from blended petrol.
“Zimbabwe had an opportunity to get cheaper ethanol from Brazil for 80 cents if it wanted to blend its petrol, but Billy used his political connections to secure a monopoly.
“Very few politicians will talk about this because they were bribed. So, banning unleaded fuel is meant to protect Billy’s interests.
“In other countries, ethanol is 80 cents a litre, but Billy is selling it at US$1.20 a litre or more. Blended petrol is meant to be cheaper, but blended fuel in Zimbabwe is more expensive than unleaded in the region.”
Opposition Labour Economists and African Democrats (LEAD) leader Linda Masarira said the move was “misguided”.
“A new fuel regulation, announced today, is set to take effect next week, banning the sale of unleaded petrol and mandating the blending of fuel with ethanol,” she said.
“This change will not sit well with many motorists. As of next week, unleaded fuel will no longer be available for purchase.
“I believe this move is misguided, as consumers should have the freedom to choose their preferred fuel type. Forcing a specific type of fuel on consumers is an overreach.”
Motorists are concerned about the impact on their vehicles, with some claiming that blended fuel can cause engines to stall. Others are worried about the environmental implications of the ban, as unleaded fuel is known to reduce emissions and air pollution.
The new regulations, signed by Energy Minister Mthuli Ncube, repeal and substitute section 3 of the Petroleum (Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) Regulations, 2013. All unleaded petrol imported into Zimbabwe will be affected, effective immediately.
