Government has reassured South Africans that there is no fuel shortage in the country, despite reports of dry fuel stations in some areas.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said fuel supply remains stable, attributing isolated shortages to logistical challenges caused by panic buying and hoarding.
“We would like to assure South Africans that fuel supplies in the country remain stable. The current dry fuel stations are a result of logistics constraints due to panic buying and fuel hoarding,” Ntshavheni said.
She urged motorists to refrain from stockpiling fuel, warning that such behaviour places unnecessary strain on the supply system.
Meanwhile, government has established a ministerial task team to address the impact of recent fuel price increases on consumers. The team, led by the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, includes several key portfolios and is tasked with coordinating a comprehensive response to rising living costs, as well as fuel and food security concerns.
Ntshavheni said Cabinet has been closely monitoring domestic fuel supply, which has been affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. However, she emphasised that South Africa’s fuel system remains adequately supplied in the short term, despite reliance on imports of refined products from the region.
As part of immediate relief measures, government has announced a temporary reduction in the fuel levy. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe confirmed that the general fuel levy has been cut to R1.10 per litre for petrol and 93 cents per litre for diesel until 5 May.
“The reduction in the fuel levy is aimed at cushioning consumers from the recent fuel price increases,” Ntshavheni said.
Fuel prices rose sharply this week, with petrol increasing by R3.06 per litre, while diesel climbed by between R7.37 and R7.51 per litre, depending on the grade. Illuminating paraffin saw a significant increase of R11.67 per litre, according to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
Ntshavheni added that Cabinet has endorsed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for an immediate ceasefire in the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, warning of its growing economic impact on South Africa.