Mnangagwa Orders Fuel Tax Review

President Mnangagwa established a high-level committee to address rising fuel prices, aiming to increase ethanol blending and cut fuel taxes. This action follows recent sharp increases in fuel costs, with ZERA hiking diesel to US$2.05 and petrol to US$2.17 per litre.The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) warns authorities to remove "irrational" fuel taxes. Transport fares surge, and Senator Jerry Gotora questioned ZERA’s continued price hikes despite local ethanol blending.Critics argue increased taxes, not global conflict, primarily drive the surge, noting the government collects 86 cents per litre in tax. Zimbabwe's fuel is now the second most expensive in SADC, after Malawi.Parliament and the Energy Minister received petitions over the hikes. The Nationalists Alliance Party (NAP) advocates for a “lithium-for-fuel” policy to mitigate the price surge.