Dozens of parked cars snake round a grassy avenue in Harare's plush Ballantyne Park suburb. The drivers are waiting for one of the fuel deliveries the government promised a week ago.
Near the front, most of the cars are empty - a sign they have been there for hours, if not days.
Zimbabwe is more than seven weeks into a crippling fuel crisis, its worst in four years. Most petrol stations have not received deliveries for weeks. Commuters walk to work or stay at home, and children are reported to be missing school.
Residents battle with frequent power cuts in the middle of winter. The authorities blame the cuts on malfunctions at the main power station in the northwestern town of Hwange, which needs US$600 million for refurbishment.
It is money President Robert Mugabe's government does not have.
Mr Mugabe on Saturday began a week-long visit to China that is expected to include a plea for oil and food aid. He will meet President Hu Jintao, as well as Premier Wen Jiabao and National People's Congress chairman Wu Bangguo .