OWN CORRESPONDENT, Harare | Tuesday 10.30am
SASOL has delivered over 520000 litres of motor fuels to Zimbabwe to help with an acute energy shortage that has been escalating over the last three months, state television said.
Eight tankers of petrol and five of diesel arrived in Harare on Monday evening after a deal signed between Sasol and President Robert Mugabe’s government. It said more fuel is expected on Tuesday.
Mugabe is currently in Kuwait on a mission to secure more fuel and help ease a shortage blamed on mismanagement by state oil importer Noczim, now nursing a Z$9-billion ($237-million) debt.
Last week the official Herald newspaper reported that Mugabe’s government, presiding over the worst economic crisis in decades, planned to allow oil companies to import fuel, ending Noczim’s monopoly.
Mugabe’s office is now running the transport and energy ministry following the resignation last month of Enos Chikowore over the crisis.
Neighbouring Botswana and Zambia have also pledged to temporarily supply bulk fuel to Zimbabwe.