By Mapaballo Borotho
- The South African government says there is no national fuel shortage despite reports of empty pumps in some areas.
- Officials attribute disruptions to panic buying and logistical challenges following a sharp fuel price increase.
- Motorists have been urged to avoid hoarding fuel to prevent worsening the situation.
The South African government has assured motorists that there is no national fuel supply disruption.
The government was responding to disruptions caused by panic buying and logistical constraints.
This is despite reports of fuel shortages at some petrol stations in certain parts of the country.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said fuel supplies remain stable, despite growing concern fuelled by social media posts showing long queues and empty pumps.
“South Africans are discouraged from panic buying and fuel hoarding,” Ntshavheni said on Thursday while briefing the media on the outcomes of the latest Cabinet meeting.
“Depending on how South Africans behave, that will determine the extent to which we’ve got the supply,” she said.
The shortages come in the wake of a sharp fuel price increase that took effect this week, with petrol rising by R5.26 per litre, diesel by R9.49 per litre, and illuminating paraffin by R10.80 per litre, driven by global oil market pressures linked to the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
Ntshavheni urged South Africans to refrain from panic buying, as it is one of the contributing factors to the fuel crisis.
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