A Government official has responded to messages currently circulating on social media announcing an increase in fuel prices.
The social media is awash with pictures of filling stations indicating prices of over $7.00 to $8:00 a litre of petrol against the government allocated a maximum cost of $4.97.
“The Government has NOT increased the price of fuel,” George Guvamatanga Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
“While a review of prices was done the decision is that the current prices should be maintained.ZERA will be issuing a detailed statement.”
Besides fuel, prices of basic goods have been going up with 2 litres cooking oil nearing $20.00 from an average of $10.
Two kg of rice is now nearing $10.00 in cost, brown sugar weighing the same is at around $5 and margarine $8.75.
On sanitation and laundry, washing powder at average costs $15 a kg, bar soap $4 and $2 for bathing soap.
Fuel prices were increased in January this year, resulting in riots which saw an internet shut down.
The country’s fuel last week rose again to the current price and ironically, the hike in costs first appeared on social media before the government announced the changes.
