Petrol Diesel Prices To Remain Stable

By Staff Reporter
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49398
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December 08, 2019

Diesel and petrol prices are likely to be more stable from now on after the Government reverted to specific excise duties on these two fuels and on paraffin.This comes after several months of applying a percentage duty to ensure tax collections rose in line with inflation.The switch implies that the Government is now reasonably certain that the high level of stability seen in the exchange rate over the last two months is likely to continue and that the Zimbabwean consumer can be given modest protection against fluctuations in world oil prices and a simpler tax structure applied to fuel prices. In a statutory instrument gazetted on Wednesday, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube set the duty on petrol at $4,44 a litre and diesel and paraffin at $4,26 a litre.Since the beginning of August the duty on petrol has been 45 percent and 40 percent on diesel and paraffin.The percentages were applied to the landed cost of the fuels, that is the Zimbabwe dollar equivalent, at the interbank rate, of the cost of getting them into the country.

The new fixed charges are slightly under the duty figures used by the energy regulator, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), in its last price formula table and, so long as the exchange rate and world oil prices do not change, the prices of the three fuels could drop by a few cents per litre. But the change will be tiny as the minister set his new specific taxes at very close to what his percentage duties were last producing.Fuel imported under the permitted schemes to be legally sold retail in US dollars have attracted much higher taxes since the beginning of August, US$0,45 a litre for petrol and US$0,40 a litre for diesel and paraffin.At present exchange rates thoseduties translate to more than $7,24 for petrol and $6,44 for diesel and paraffin although the actual duties have to paid in US dollars under these schemes.

But this differential taxation is the main reason why fuel sold legally in US dollars is about 30 percent more expensive at current exchange rates than fuel sold in Zimbabwe dollars.Despite high duties on petrol, the pump price is lower than that of diesel because it is blended with up to 20 percent anhydrous ethanol distilled in Zimbabwe’s Lowveld which brings down the landed price. Otherwise the landed price is a combination of the crude oil price, refining charges, shipping charges to Beira, Beira port charges and the cost of using the Beira-Feruka pipeline. All these charges are in foreign currency.The latest Zera table shows the landed cost of diesel at just under US$0,59 a litre and the petrol-ethanol blend price at just under US$0,55 a litre. These reflect the present low international oil prices.

Besides the landed cost converted at the interbank exchange rate, and the taxes, the Zera formula tables show the mark-ups allowed to the oil company, of around 10 percent, and to the service station that sells the fuel to motorists of around 12,5 percent.For several years, Zimbabwe had specific duties on fuel.In January these were raised significantly to cope with the serious cheating and illegal re-export of fuel.

They were reduced moderately a little later as the currency allocated to fuel switched from special allocations at 1-1 to interbank rate allocations from late May.But in his mid-year fiscal review and supplementary budget, Minister Ncube switched to the percentage ad valorem taxes, explaining that he needed to follow inflation.At that stage he was charging duties of $1,15 on petrol and $0,90 on diesel and paraffin and the switch to percentage taxes saw a jump in fuel prices. Further jumps were recorded as the interbank exchange rate fell, sometimes sharply, before reaching a high level of stability in the last week of September this year with only marginal monthly falls since then.The development comes as Government is working flat out to improve the fuel supply situation that worsened last week, resulting in winding queues at most service stations countrywide.Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi on Tuesday attributed fuel supply bottlenecks to the rolling over of Letters of Credit (LCs).LCs help reduce the payment risks on international trade transactions and allows a buyer’s bank to guarantee payment to a seller if certain criteria are met.In view of the prevailing foreign currency shortages, the majority of companies depend on LCs for critical imports such as fuel, raw materials and equipment.

Said Minister Chasi: “There was an interruption last week regarding fuel because it coincided with a situation where there were efforts to roll-over the Letters of Credit, so that caused the queues that we began to see but the National Oil and Infrastructure Company (NOIC) has increased the pace at which it has been collecting fuel from Msasa and we asked them to work round the clock until the situation has been regularised.” He said efforts were being made to ensure motorists did not spend long hours in queues.

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DUI Lawyer Cost: How Much Does a DUI Attorney Charge?

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DUI Lawyer Cost: How Much Does a DUI Attorney Charge?

One of the first questions after a DUI arrest is: how much does a DUI lawyer cost?

The answer depends on the case, state, lawyer’s experience, court, whether trial is included, and whether the case involves aggravating factors.

A DUI lawyer may seem expensive, but a conviction can also be costly. Fines, insurance increases, interlock fees, lost work, license reinstatement, and court costs can add up quickly.

Common DUI Lawyer Fee Structures

Flat Fee

Many DUI lawyers charge a flat fee for specific services.

A flat fee may cover:

Court appearances
Plea negotiations
Review of evidence
Basic motion work
Client meetings

However, trial may cost extra.

Hourly Fee

Some lawyers charge by the hour. This may happen in complex cases or when the work is hard to predict.

Staged Fee

Some lawyers charge one fee for pretrial work and another fee if the case goes to trial.

This can help clients understand costs at each stage.

What Affects DUI Lawyer Cost?

Cost may depend on:

First offense vs. repeat offense
Misdemeanor vs. felony
Accident involvement
Injury or death
High BAC allegation
Refusal allegation
Commercial driver’s license
Need for expert witnesses
Need for trial
Court location
Lawyer experience

A simple first offense usually costs less than a felony DUI with injury.

Attorney Fees vs. Court Costs

Attorney fees are separate from court costs and penalties.

Other possible DUI-related costs include:

Court fines
Probation fees
Alcohol education classes
Ignition interlock fees
License reinstatement fees
SR-22 insurance costs
Towing or impound fees
Expert witness fees
Transcript fees

Ask for a full explanation of what is included and excluded.

Questions to Ask About Fees

Before hiring a DUI lawyer, ask:

Is your fee flat or hourly?
Does the fee include trial?
Does it include license hearings?
Are motions included?
Are expert witnesses extra?
Are court costs included?
Do you offer payment plans?
What happens if the case takes longer than expected?
Will I receive a written fee agreement?

A clear fee agreement prevents confusion later.

Is a Cheap DUI Lawyer a Good Idea?

Not always.

A lower fee may be fine if the lawyer is qualified and the case is simple. But you should be careful if the attorney does not review evidence, does not communicate clearly, or pressures you to plead quickly.

Ask about experience, strategy, and what work is included.

Is a DUI Lawyer Worth It?

A DUI lawyer may be worth considering because DUI cases can affect:

License
Job
Criminal record
Insurance
Professional license
Immigration status
Commercial driving rights
Future background checks

A lawyer cannot guarantee dismissal, but they can help review evidence and protect your rights.

Can You Use a Public Defender?

If you cannot afford a lawyer and qualify financially, a public defender may be appointed in criminal court.

However, public defenders may not handle administrative license hearings in every situation. Ask what is covered.

USA.gov lists resources for finding free or low-cost legal help, and the American Bar Association also provides lawyer referral and legal help resources.

Final Thoughts

DUI lawyer cost depends on the seriousness of the charge, the complexity of the case, and what services are included.

Do not choose based only on price. Choose based on experience, communication, strategy, and clear fees.

A DUI case can affect your life long after court ends, so make the decision carefully.

Mesothelioma Lawyer: How Legal Help Works After an Asbestos Cancer Diagnosis

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Mesothelioma Lawyer: Legal Help After an Asbestos Cancer Diagnosis

A mesothelioma diagnosis can turn a family’s life upside down. Medical appointments, treatment decisions, financial pressure, pain, and uncertainty can arrive all at once.

For many people, one major question comes up quickly: Was this caused by asbestos exposure, and can my family seek compensation?

A mesothelioma lawyer helps people diagnosed with mesothelioma investigate asbestos exposure, identify responsible companies, file legal claims, and pursue compensation through lawsuits, settlements, or asbestos trust funds.

Mesothelioma is strongly linked to asbestos exposure. The American Cancer Society says pleural mesothelioma starts in the chest and is the most common type, making up more than 8 out of 10 mesothelioma cases.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the lining of certain organs.

Types may include:

Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining around the lungs
Peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the abdomen
Pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the lining around the heart
Testicular mesothelioma, which is very rare

The American Cancer Society says about 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed each year in the United States.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

The main known cause is asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled or swallowed. Over time, those fibers may irritate tissue and contribute to cancer development.

ATSDR explains that breathing asbestos can increase cancer risk, including mesothelioma, and that asbestos-related disease may appear many years after exposure.

Because mesothelioma can take decades to develop, many people were exposed years before diagnosis.

What Does a Mesothelioma Lawyer Do?

A mesothelioma lawyer may help with:

Investigating where asbestos exposure happened
Reviewing work history
Identifying asbestos-containing products
Finding responsible manufacturers or employers
Filing lawsuits
Filing asbestos trust fund claims
Gathering medical records
Working with exposure experts
Negotiating settlements
Protecting filing deadlines
Helping families after wrongful death

These cases are different from ordinary personal injury claims because exposure often happened decades ago.

Common Asbestos Exposure Locations

Mesothelioma lawyers often investigate exposure connected to:

Shipyards
Military service
Construction sites
Power plants
Oil refineries
Steel mills
Factories
Railroads
Auto repair shops
Boiler rooms
Schools and older public buildings
Insulation work
Pipefitting
Electrical work
Demolition and renovation work

Family members may also have been exposed through asbestos fibers carried home on workers’ clothing. The National Cancer Institute notes that family members of heavily exposed workers may face increased mesothelioma risk from fibers brought home on shoes, clothing, skin, and hair.

Why You Should Contact a Lawyer Quickly

Mesothelioma claims have legal deadlines called statutes of limitations. These deadlines vary by state and may be based on diagnosis date, death date, or other facts.

Waiting too long can limit legal options.

A lawyer can help determine:

Which state law applies
What deadline controls the case
Which companies may be responsible
Whether trust fund claims are available
Whether a lawsuit should be filed
Whether the family has wrongful death rights

What Compensation May Be Available?

Depending on the facts, compensation may include:

Medical bills
Cancer treatment costs
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Travel for treatment
Home care
Caregiver costs
Funeral expenses
Wrongful death damages
Asbestos trust fund payments

The amount depends on exposure history, diagnosis, responsible companies, available evidence, and state law.

How Mesothelioma Lawyers Are Paid

Many mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency fee. That means they are paid a percentage of recovery if compensation is obtained.

Before hiring a lawyer, ask:

What percentage do you charge?
Are case costs deducted separately?
What happens if there is no recovery?
Do you handle asbestos trust fund claims?
Will I owe anything upfront?
Will I receive a written fee agreement?

Final Thoughts

A mesothelioma lawyer can help patients and families understand legal rights after an asbestos-related cancer diagnosis.

Because exposure may have happened decades earlier, these cases require experience, investigation, and access to asbestos product records.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, legal guidance can help protect your family’s options while you focus on medical care.