ZCTU warns fuel hikes to US$2.17 may spark unrest

Fuel price rocket ride just slammed Zimbabwe's workers with insane transport bills and everyday item spikes that sting hard.

ZERA fuel price surges

• Diesel climbed from US$1.52 to US$2.05 per litre in two jumps.
• Petrol shot up from US$1.56 to US$2.17 per litre recently.
• First hike hit March 4, 2026, with the second on March 18.
• ZCTU slams the brutal scale, shocking ordinary folks.

Tirivanhu Marimo's criticisms

• Marimo calls out massive taxes, inflating pump prices badly.
• The government slaps 86 cents per litre on blended petrol.
• Diesel gets hit with 42 cents per litre in levies.
• Blending ethanol gets blasted for jacking costs higher.

Regional price comparison

• Most neighboring countries keep fuel under US$1.50 per litre.
• Only Malawi matches Zimbabwe's sky-high rates now.
• The Middle East conflict gets blamed, but ZCTU doubts it's the sole driver.
• Workers face over double transport expenses overnight.

Economic hardship warnings

• Fuel jumps fuel inflation and crush basic goods affordability.
• Wages already lag far behind relentless price climbs.
• Getting to work or feeding families becomes nearly impossible.
• ZCTU pushes for staggered hikes to ease worker pain.

Government and employer demands

• Union begs rulers to slash or ditch fuel taxes completely.
• Current levels risk sparking unrest like the January 2019 chaos.
• Employers get told to hand out real wage boosts fast.
• ZCTU warns that ongoing pain hits workers, businesses, and everyone.