Zimbabwe’s fuel pipeline allegedly ‘captured’ by Trafigura

CAPE TOWN — Finding the truth in amongst all the smoke and mirrors of Zimbabwe's 'State Capture' fuel pipeline controversy will take some doing. On the one hand, the price and availability of petrol are already hot potatoes, leading to riots, clampdowns and deaths earlier this year. On the other, Zimbabwe, somewhat like South Africa, is dealing with the legacy of corrupt and despotic leadership, lending credence to the claim that the involvement of an influential Zanu-PF-linked intermediary for a global commodities trader/fuel supplier is hiking costs. The fuel comes from Beira, via the State-owned pipeline, to Harare for distribution. Sakunda (the intermediary company) allegedly enjoys politically-favoured use of it. It's generally accepted that Zimbabwe's fuel prices are hugely inflated. Up for debate however, is why. It's claimed that Swiss-based commodities trader Trafigura, has through Sakunda, 'captured" use of the pipeline, reaping exclusive and shadowy profits, something it vehemently denies. All the elements we've come to recognise in South Africa's State Capture are present, but nothing's yet proven or elicited by a probe or commission. As we know from painful daily experience, nothing is sacred when it comes to State Capture. – Chris Bateman

By Thulasizwe Sithole

A Swiss-based global commodities trader is facing accusations that it used a Zanu-PF-linked local facilitator and partner to 'capture' exclusive fuel supply rights to Zimbabwe.

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