HARARE — A Zimbabwean legislator has challenged the government to explain why motorists continue paying a fuel reserve levy while petrol and diesel prices remain significantly higher than in neighbouring Zambia.
Speaking during debate on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address in the National Assembly on Thursday, Epworth Constituency MP Zivai Mhetu demanded a detailed breakdown of fuel prices, including taxes, levies, import costs and distribution margins.
Mhetu questioned whether the government’s assurances of adequate fuel supplies meant anything to consumers struggling with high prices.
“Fuel may be available, but is it affordable?” he asked.
Mhetu cited fuel prices published by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) on October 9, which listed petrol at US$2.05 per litre and diesel at US$2.04.
He compared these with October prices in Zambia, where petrol was selling for 31 kwacha per litre and diesel for 33 kwacha, equivalent to approximately US$1.56 and US$1.65 respectively, using the Bank of Zambia’s October 23 exchange rate.
“The petrol grades and pricing systems differ, but Zimbabwe’s listed petrol and diesel prices were higher than Zambia’s, which is also a landlocked country just like us,” Mhetu told Parliament.
He argued that the government needed to explain the factors responsible for the price differences rather than simply assuring the public that fuel supplies were stable.
“I, therefore, ask the Minister to publish what makes up each litre at the pump; how much is the landing cost, how much goes to taxes and levies and how much goes to blending and distribution margins,” he said.
“Which costs explain the gap with Zambia? A published breakdown would allow this House to see where savings are possible.”
Mhetu also questioned the continued collection of the fuel reserve levy, demanding to know when the government intended to stop charging motorists.
“There is a fuel reserve levy charged on fuel. This levy is supposed to be charged until reserves are full. When are the reserves going to be full so that the levy can be removed?” he asked.
“Zimbabweans cannot be asked to pay a temporary levy forever.”
The legislator’s intervention raised questions about the transparency of Zimbabwe’s fuel pricing system and whether motorists were receiving sufficient information about the charges included in pump prices.
His criticism extended beyond fuel prices to the government’s claims about electricity supply.
Mhetu challenged Mnangagwa’s assertion that frequent load-shedding had become a thing of the past, citing continued electricity interruptions in parts of Harare and Shamva.
“With respect, that is not what Zimbabweans are experiencing,” he said.
He told Parliament that ZESA had acknowledged electricity interruptions lasting between four and six hours a day during October, which he attributed to faults, planned maintenance and challenges affecting older generating equipment.
“We cannot build Vision 2030 on 40 year-old machines and a dam that depends on rain,” he said.
His remarks drew objections from fellow legislator Muringazuva, who defended government investment in electricity generation, including additional generating capacity at Hwange and Kariba and the development of solar projects.
Mhetu maintained that his criticism concerned the older generating units at Hwange rather than the newer investments cited by Muringazuva.
The legislator also criticised delays in transport infrastructure development, calling for the completion of Delport Road to ease congestion for motorists and freight operators travelling from Mutare towards Harare.
He argued that the road would provide an alternative connection to Airport Road and Seke Road, reducing the need for vehicles to pass through the central business district.
“Completing Delport Road is not a local project. It is a national decongestion project,” he said.
Mhetu further proposed the restoration of intercity passenger rail services through partnerships with international investors.
He suggested routes connecting Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, Gweru, Kadoma and Harare, as well as Harare, Mutare, Masvingo and Beitbridge.
“A train from Harare to Bulawayo that is safe, on time and affordable would take hundreds of buses and kombis off our highways, save lives, save fuel and restore dignity to our travel,” he said.
He also called for stronger oversight of road infrastructure financing, including the auditing and publication of funds administered by the Zimbabwe National Road Administration.
Mhetu concluded by urging the government to move beyond infrastructure promises and address the practical challenges facing motorists, commuters and businesses.
“Let us build power in months and not decades. Let us make fuel affordable through transparency. Let us complete the Delport Road. Let us bring back the train. If we do that, we will not just debate SONA, but we will make it work,” he said.
