Fuel Smuggling Surge in Manicaland as Dealers Exploit Mozambique Price Gap

MUTARE – Fuel dealers in Manicaland are increasingly turning to cross-border smuggling, exploiting a widening price gap between Zimbabwe and neighbouring Mozambique, as petrol and diesel costs remain among the highest in the region. Industry sources say the illicit trade has intensified in recent weeks, driven by the sharp difference in pump prices. Diesel is currently selling for about US$1.09 per litre in Mozambique compared to US$2.11 in Zimbabwe, while petrol costs around US$1.12 across the border versus US$2.23 locally.

The disparity has created a thriving black market, with smuggled fuel being resold at significantly lower prices. Reports indicate that five litres of fuel are being sold for between US$6.50 and US$8 on the informal market, compared to approximately US$12 at official service stations.

“It’s now cheaper to buy fuel from informal dealers than at the pump. Many motorists are turning to these sources despite the risks,” said a Mutare commuter.

At an exchange rate of about 73 meticais to the US dollar, fuel prices in Mozambique remain highly attractive, making cross-border operations lucrative for smugglers.

Authorities say the situation is worsened by Manicaland’s extensive and porous border, which stretches over 700 kilometres from Nyanga to Chipinge, an area historically associated with illicit trade. Fuel is reportedly being transported into Zimbabwe through informal crossing points, with “runners” and syndicates coordinating supply chains that bypass official border posts.

Large-scale smuggling operations are also said to involve corruption, with claims that some transporters bribe officials at roadblocks to move fuel undetected. Security experts warn that such practices not only undermine the economy but also pose safety risks due to the handling and storage of unregulated fuel.

Kupukani Masunungure, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce provincial head, confirmed that authorities are stepping up efforts to curb smuggling.

“There are anti-smuggling efforts to thwart syndicates, but our border stretch is about 700km long and quite porous,” Masunungure said.

He noted that while enforcement is ongoing, parts of the border fall under the jurisdiction of the Zimbabwe National Army and the Joint Operations Command, limiting civilian agencies’ reach.

The Provincial Anti-Smuggling Taskforce, comprising the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS), and other government departments, has intensified operations.

“ZIMRA and other security agencies have upped the game, and several arrests have been made in recent weeks,” Masunungure added.

Officials attribute the surge in smuggling partly to global fuel price pressures linked to geopolitical tensions, which have pushed up local pump prices and increased demand for cheaper alternatives. Economists warn that fuel smuggling undermines government revenue and distorts the formal market, while also exposing consumers to potential hazards from substandard or improperly stored fuel. As authorities ramp up enforcement, the challenge remains balancing border control with economic realities, as motorists continue to seek relief from soaring fuel costs.

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