The Zimbabwe government more than doubled the price of diesel and petrol on Wednesday as critical fuel shortages persist, state radio reported.
”The pump price of both petrol and diesel has been increased by more than 130% with immediate effect,” the radio report said.
Petrol will now sell for Z$23 300 (R6,01) a litre, up from Z$10 000 (R2,50) a litre, while diesel will cost Z$20 800 (R5,31) a litre, up from Z$9 600 (R2,27).
This latest hike may not, however, be enough to ease the country’s chronic fuel shortages, as the new price remains well below that being charged on the black market. Petrol sold on the unofficial market fetches up to Z$45 000 (R11,58) a litre.
Zimbabwe is in the throes of its worst fuel crisis to date. Many fuel stations have not received supplies for weeks, and dusty cars wait outside garages in parts of the capital, Harare. — Sapa-DPA