New government needed to solve fuel crisis in Zimbabwe


By Tichaona Sibanda
15 July 2005

The government announced on Friday that individuals with free funds outside Zimbabwe or those with foreign currency accounts could import fuel for resale.

This new policy comes in the wake of crippling fuel shortages that have brought the country to a halt. The fuel crisis is so serious that it has created an unprecedented revolt by Zanu (PF) MPs in Parliament, who accused the government of failing to come up with a solution to the drawn-out crisis.

The opposition MDC was quick to go on the offensive, pointing out that the new policy is a clear admission by government they have failed to resolve the fuel crisis.

New spokesman for Energy, Transport and Communications in the party, Murisi Zwizwai, is adamant the only way to solve the economic crisis is to have a political solution.

In short, said Zwizwai, what we need is a new government.

Political commentator Bekithemba Mhlanga cemented Zwizwai's comments and rubbished government's turn around programmes as a being out of touch with reality.

He said; "what we need in the country is operation restore order and democracy…pure and simple. These other operations will never bring any results.'