The ban by Kasane immigration officials has already resulted in a more desperate fuel shortage in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe's prime tourist destination.

Since Tuseday last week, Zimbabwean cross-border fuel dealers who have been driving their trucks to Kasane to haul fuel in 200-litre drums have made empty runs in both directions.

Filling stations in Kasane are only selling fuel to fill up tanks of motorists, and not containers or jerry cans any more.

"Starting Tuesday last week, fuel stations in Kasane and border officials have not allowed us to put fuel in containers as we have been doing over the past few years," said Robin Marecha, a Victoria Falls-based fuel dealer.

"This has already affected tourist firms in Victoria Falls. Because we are no longer allowed to import fuel from Botswana, more of us are turning to Livingstone in Zambia."

Naume Nyathi is another fuel dealer who has been hit by the ban.
"I hope this ban will be temporary because the business of importing fuel is not only driving the tourism industry here," she said, "it has also become a source of employment for many of us. 

"I survive on the income I earn from importing fuel from Kasane and re-selling it to businesses and motorists in Victoria Falls."

 Zimbabwe's long-standing fuel shortage is the result of lack of foreign currency to import the commodity.

Other Zimbabwean fuel dealers buy the commodity from Francistown and haul it through the Ramokgwebana border post. Since the imposition of the import ban, the price of fuel in Victoria Falls has shot up from around Z$120 million (P6) per litre to Z$200 (P11) per litre. 

This has in turn led to the doubling of public transport fares in Victoria Falls.
Batswana, especially in Francistown, blame Zimbabwean traders for the rising cost of consumer goods.

Zimbabweans buy various goods such as groceries, clothing and footwear in bulk and the rising demand is propelling prices, Batswana say.