HARARE – After enduring a festive season without their favourite soft drinks, Zimbabweans have been told to brace for further absence of fizzy drinks from shop shelves despite an arrangement under which Delta Corporation – which manufactures the Coca-Cola Company beverages – will get forex to cover for importation of raw materials from the government.

This after the government shot down its move to sell its alcoholic and soft drink beverage products in foreign currency to enable it to raise funds to cover for imported raw materials and concentrates.

The company has reached an agreement with the government, which will see the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe allocate hard currency for the company's raw material imports.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has also appointed a committee to oversee the allocations of foreign currency to cover for key imports for companies and state requirements.

“It is noted that the arrangements will have lead times hence the current shortages of product particularly soft drinks will persist in the meantime,” Delta said in a statement.