Premier Alan Winde said isolated reports of shortages are due to suppliers not releasing fuel to customers, which is impacting the agricultural sector.
Image: Tumi Pakkies / Independent Newspapers
THE Fuel Industry Association of South Africa (FIASA) is working with Agri Western Cape (Agri WC) to identify fuel suppliers that are rationing supply following reports that some farmers are only receiving about 20% of their usual monthly diesel allocations.
Premier Alan Winde said isolated reports of shortages are due to suppliers not releasing fuel to customers, which is impacting the agricultural sector.
“These effects are most acute in the Garden Route and West Coast Districts.
“It is unethical for suppliers to delay the delivery of fuel, while waiting for prices to increase. Any supplier found to be engaged in this conduct will be assessed for legal liability and recourse,” Winde said.
“The Western Cape Government recognises the very real concerns raised about the impact of the Middle East conflict on fuel supply in the province. We want to assure residents that there is sufficient supply of fuel in the Western Cape to meet demand.”
Winde said the Provincial Disaster Management Centre is monitoring the situation, in coordination with the FIASA, Agri WC, Regional Disaster Management Centres, the Department of Health and Wellness: EMS and Eskom.
“There is no cause for concern. There is more than enough fuel in reserve. All suppliers must immediately release full orders of fuel to all clients. We will not tolerate suppliers unethically holding onto fuel, while our agricultural sector is under pressure,” said Winde.
“Fuel is a critical resource for the agricultural sector, particularly as we head into the fruit picking and winter grain planting season. This is a sector already under pressure as a result of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, it is unacceptable that unnecessary fuel rationing now poses an additional stressor,” he added.
At this stage, all other sectors, including all Western Cape Government departments, are not impacted by fuel shortages, Winde said.
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has also reassured the public of a stable fuel supply and warned against panic-buying.
This comes as ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have pushed international crude oil prices above $100 per barrel, creating uncertainty in global energy markets.
In a statement, the department said any local delays were small and operational, not a national problem, and urged people to buy fuel as usual and trust official information.
"Calls for the public to rush to the pumps are irresponsible. They place undue pressure on supply systems, congestion at service stations, and anxiety among consumers.”
Cape Times