Malawi's ongoing fuel crisis has taken a turn for the worse, with black market operators accused of exacerbating the situation. According to the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), these unauthorized vendors are responsible for the fuel shortage, which has led to long queues at filling stations and black-market prices surging to K6,000 per liter.

The crisis, which has been ongoing for three weeks, has caused widespread disruption and economic strain, particularly for small businesses reliant on transportation. The shortage has also led to inflationary pressures, with prices for essential goods surging.

MERA CEO Henry Kachaje has accused the black market operators of profiteering from the situation by selling fuel at inflated prices, thereby contributing to the shortages. The vendors are said to have purchased large quantities of fuel and resold it at higher prices, further exacerbating the crisis.

The Malawian government has blamed the fuel crisis on a shortage of foreign exchange, which has hindered efforts to import fuel from international suppliers. However, the timeframe for a solution remains unclear, leaving the public in uncertainty.

The situation has sparked debate, with some calling for a fuel price hike to reflect the true cost of fuel on the global market and avoid long-term economic consequences. The Consumers Association of Malawi has argued that adjusting fuel prices is necessary to avoid fuel scarcity and its negative impacts on consumers and the economy.

As the crisis continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Malawian government will address the issue and restore stability to the country's fuel market.