The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has encouraged motorists to protect themselves against potential fuel fraud by demanding evidence that service station pump measurements have been certified.
Violations involving measuring tools usually relate to the manipulation of weights, scales, and volume devices (like fuel pumps).
The Government regularly penalises businesses that use uncertified, tampered, or inaccurate instruments. These offences directly violate the Trade Measures Act and Consumer Protection Act.
Speaking at a World Metrology Day event in Bulawayo recently, Zera regional compliance officer Engineer Hugh Mlawuzi said Zera works with the Department of Trade Measures to curtail fuel fraud by dealers.
He, however, noted that Zera said inspectors cannot be at every station, so consumers must play a role in helping identify business malpractice.
“If a service station bought 10 000 litres but sold 12 000 litres, where did the extra 2 000 come from? That’s when we call in Trade Measures,” he said.
“If they confirm a pump is under-delivering, we close the station. A second offence leads to suspension. A third, and we cancel the licence after prosecution by the National Prosecuting Authority.
“You suspect something, you ask. Service stations should have a certificate to say Trade Measures has verified the equipment.”
He cited progress in compliance since 2023, saying earlier challenges included widespread fuel dilution with paraffin, which prompted the Government to raise paraffin prices to match diesel and introduce cheaper liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as an alternative.
Zera conducts quarterly inspections and product testing under Statutory Instrument 23, covering diesel, blends, and LPG across provinces.
The regulator also verifies fuel pumps and meters to ensure accuracy and legal compliance.
Eng Mlawuzi clarified that while private contractors can test equipment, only Trade Measures has the authority to certify and seal measuring instruments as compliant.
“They are not competing. They are complementing each other,” he said.
“We’ve worked together since 1993. No arguments. Just co-operation.”
The partnership helps prevent market misconduct.
He said under-calibration by even two percent on 50 000 litres costs consumers and businesses significantly over time.
Zera is moving towards a volume-based licensing regime, where a station’s licence reflects its import volumes.
This requires accurate data from the Department of Trade Measures to ensure tax and revenue accuracy.
“When we enforce standards and our powers are limited, we transfer cases to the relevant authority for prosecution,” said Eng Mlawuzi.
He applauded the Department of Trade Measures for decades of collaboration, saying the model should be a lesson for younger officials.
“You can be friends for more than 35 years as long as both of you know what you are doing and you do it properly,” he added.
This year’s global theme, “Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making,” was described as central to governance, economic resilience and industrial resurgence.
Speaking at the same event, Department of Trade Measures board member Mr Cyprain Muchechemera said: “We followed an unbroken chain of traceability down to the inspector’s hand. We watched the mobile verification lab bring that legal out to where trade actually happens. And at the cost of inaccuracy, we heard what is at stake when that chain breaks.”
Mr Muchechemera said behind every fair price, safe road and accurate view, there is a measurement someone can trust.-herald
