Sithembinkosi L. Jiyane
Business Reporter
In Zimbabwe, persistent economic challenges have driven many citizens to convert their homes into makeshift gas stations as a means of survival, particularly in the Western Suburban City of Bulawayo.
“Driven by the need to provide for my family, I turned to selling gas as a way to earn a steady income and make ends meet,” said Nokuthula Tshuma, one of the growing number of informal fuel vendors.
While this practice has become a lifeline for some, it often attracts scrutiny from law enforcement and strains relationships between sellers and customers. Vendors report frequent clashes with clients who request credit but delay payments.
“I constantly face the threat of arrest by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). Officers expect bribes to turn a blind eye,” Tshuma explained.
“Even customers show little empathy. They ask to buy on credit but take weeks to pay. When I remind them, they become hostile.”
Operating a home-based gas business requires a license from authorities, yet many vendors sidestep legal protocols due to bureaucratic hurdles and costs. The trade also carries significant risks, including potential gas leaks and fires from improperly stored cylinders.
A recent incident on Thursday at Manyenziwe Shopping Centre in Nkulumane 12, Bulawayo, underscored these dangers. A Honda Fit carrying five gas cylinders and a 48kg cylinder exploded after a suspected leak, engulfing the vehicle in flames. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Ashton, another vendor who declined to share his full name, detailed his supply chain:
“I source gas from reputable suppliers like Quality Gas in Belmont and Kings Gas in Luveve. I collaborate with lorry owners to transport cylinders for refills and pay them a fee.”
With LP Gas usage rising nationwide, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) faces calls to ramp up public education on safe handling, storage, and transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Experts also urge streamlined licensing processes to legitimize home-based vendors and enhance community safety.
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