Harare, Zimbabwe | Elima Fuels is under fire once again following revelations that the company has continued to sell contaminated fuel, despite being previously cautioned, fined, and warned earlier this year in February.
The continued actions by the company have raised serious concerns about the safety and reliability of fuel on the market, as contaminated fuel can cause significant damage to vehicles and pose serious risks to motorists.
It is becoming increasingly evident why Elima Fuels is one of the cheapest fuel providers in Zimbabwe; the company appears to be cutting corners and making profits by selling substandard fuel.
In February, the company was found to be selling fuel that did not meet the minimum standards set by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) and was subsequently fined by Harare Magistrate Ruth Moyo.
Despite this, Elima Fuels has seemingly ignored ZERA’s warnings and continued to sell contaminated fuel, resulting in severe consequences for its operations. One of its branches recently lost its license to sell fuel due to repeated violations.
The sale of contaminated fuel is not just a regulatory issue; it poses a direct threat to motorists. Contaminated fuel can cause extensive damage to a vehicle’s engine and fuel system.
Issues such as clogged fuel injectors, damaged fuel pumps, and corroded engine parts can arise, leading to costly repairs or even total engine failure. Many motorists have reported experiencing frequent breakdowns and diminished engine performance after refueling at Elima Fuels outlets, which has significantly damaged their vehicles and wallets.
Beyond vehicle damage, the dangers of selling contaminated fuel extend to overall road safety. Vehicles operating on poor-quality fuel are more likely to stall or break down unexpectedly, increasing the risk of accidents.
Additionally, contaminated fuel can lead to higher emissions, contributing to environmental pollution and potential health risks for the public.
According to a memo obtained by ZiMetro, Elima Fuels’ site in Ruwa was recently shut down after it was caught selling substandard fuel again, disregarding the regulatory warnings.
The closure of the Ruwa branch adds to the company’s growing list of offenses, underscoring ongoing concerns about its disregard for regulatory standards.
On the list of companies selling contaminated and substandard fuel, Elima Fuels has three sites implicated: Elima Waterfalls, Elima Fuels VID Eastlea, and Elima Ruwa — the latter of which has had its license revoked for being a repeat offender.
Despite regulatory action, the company’s persistence in selling poor-quality fuel raises serious questions about enforcement effectiveness and consumer safety.
Meanwhile, fuel prices in Zimbabwe remain relatively stable, with Petrol Blend (E20) retailing at USD 1.60 per liter, Diesel (D50) at around USD 1.63 per liter, and local currency prices at ZiG 22.08 and ZiG 22.42 per liter.
Efforts to contact Elima for a comment were in vain, as our messages were delivered, seen, but not replied to.
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