Zimbabwe hikes fuel prices by 26%

Zimbabwe has increased the price of petrol and diesel by up to 26 percent after the finance minister raised import tax on fuel last week, adding more pressure on citizens grappling with triple-digit inflation.

Prices of basic goods and services have more than doubled since June, when the government renamed the RTGS currency as the Zimbabwe dollar, which has been sliding in value amid widespread shortages, including power, fuel and US dollars.

That has stirred memories among an increasingly impoverished population of economic chaos a decade ago when rampant money-printing led to hyperinflation and forced the country to abandon its currency.

In a statement published on Sunday, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority said petrol would now cost 9.01 Zimbabwe dollars ($0.025) up from 7.55 ($0.021). Diesel would cost 9.06 ($0.025) Zimbabwe dollars, a 26 percent increase.

Fuel prices have been increased four times since June and by more than 500 percent this year, as the value of the local currency has slid.

But fuel shortages remain, with motorists spending hours lining up at the pumps.

Demand for fuel has also gone up as businesses use diesel generators due to 18-hour electricity cuts.

The government is trying to end subsidies by raising the price of fuel and electricity tariffs and putting its finances on a strong footing, but that has unleashed inflation, eroding salaries and angering unions.

SOURCE: REUTERS NEWS AGENCY