MARTIN RUSHMERE
MOST TRANSPORT operators in Zimbabwe have mothballed at least one third of their fleet because of the national fuel crisis. Along with this, drivers have been put onto half time as companies try to stay solvent.
The industry is just managing to keep its head above water, says Dave Howe of the Transport Operators Association. Obviously the position is very serious and if matters go on like this for much longer a whole host of operators will have to close down completely.
A black market has sprung up in diesel supplies, with workers at oil company depots and even retail garage attendants supplying fuel at up to three times the official cost. This is adding to the enormous increases in costs for operators.
There is no sign of immediate relief. President Robert Mugabe has claimed that a US$80 million deal with Kuwait will be signed soon but news reports from the Middle East kingdom say that it will have nothing to do with the country unless payment is made beforehand.
All the Kuwaiti suppliers were very lukewarm about Zimbabwe, said a government official who was with Mugabe. We already owe them US$60 million in overdue debts and they want that back first.
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