Zimbabwe warns gasoline suppliers against demanding FX payment

Bloomberg

Zimbabwe’s government warned fuel suppliers who demand payment in foreign exchange that their licences to trade will be withdrawn.
“All those caught selling fuel at prices not approved by Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority and those service stations either demanding payment in hard currency or engaging in other untoward trading will have their licences revoked,” Vice President Kembo Mohadi said.
Zimbabweans have stocked up on goods after authorities increased a tax on money transfers to 2 cents per dollar, from a flat rate of 5 cents per transaction, at beginning of month. Vehicles formed long lines at fuel stations over the weekend, prompting the head of national oil firm to say there’s enough gasoline to last six months.
A scarcity of foreign currency over the past two years has led to shortages of consumables including flour and cooking oil. Mohadi also warned it will take measures against supermarkets that sell goods at “exorbitant prices.”
“Government is warning those that have hiked prices and also those hoarding basic commodities in order to create artificial shortages to stop this malpractice forthwith,” he said. “Government will take stern measures against those who continue to engage in such
malpractices, who are bent on
inflicting pain on our people.”