Bulawayo Kombi Operators Backtrack On ZiG
Kombi operators in Bulawayo have backtracked on refusing ZiG, saying are accepting the new structured currency for fares.
Last week, the same commuter omnibus operators stated that accepting ZiG would put them out of business as they cannot use the currency to buy fuel or spares for their vehicles.
However, Tshova Mubaiwa’s marketing director, Ndaba Mabunda, told the Chronicle that they are accepting ZiG. Said Mabunda:
There is no way we are denying the ZiG. The announcement by ZERA also shows commitment and interest by authorities to balance the equation.
Transport operators also use the ZiG to purchase other goods and services other than fuel. ZiG is our national currency and accepting it must never be an option.
Bulawayo Urban Public Transport Association (BUPTA) chairperson, Morgan Msipa, said they are accepting ZiG. He said:
It might improve our lives. We have issues of lack of change and we hope that once the money is in circulation it can be a thing of the past.
Let me make it clear that we are not saying no to the ZiG. We had concerns about fuel stations not accepting it.
On 04 May, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) issued a fuel review notice indicating prices of petrol and diesel in both USD and ZiG.
However, this does not necessarily mean that fuel is now being sold in ZiG because ZERA has always done the same for Bond Notes even when they were not accepted at the fuel pump.
According to the notice, diesel now costs ZiG22.24 and US$1.66, while petrol is now selling at ZiG21.15 and US$1.58 per litre respectively.
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