Minister Ntshavheni reassures South Africans

DESPITE reports of fuel shortages at some petrol stations in parts of South Africa, the government has reassured motorists that there is no national supply crisis, attributing the disruptions to panic buying and logistical constraints.

- LILITA GCWABE AND MAYIBONGWE MAGHINA

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.

She explained that dry fuel stations were largely the result of increased demand and distribution pressure rather than a collapse in supply.

“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.

In response, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Mineral and Petroleum Minister Gwede Mantashe announced a temporary R3 reduction in the general fuel levy from April 1 to May 5 to cushion consumers.