The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa have urged motorists not to panic-buy amid claims of fuel shortages in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The department issued a statement on Friday (20 March), assuring South Africans that, contrary to claims being made on social media, the country is not experiencing a national fuel shortage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It added that statements by “certain organisations and individuals” encouraging drivers to rush to filling stations due to the shortages and looming fuel price increases should be ignored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The Department and Fuels Industry Association wish to firmly reiterate that South Africa\u2019s fuel supply remains stable in the immediate term, and there is no basis for panic-buying,” it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The department conceded that there may be “isolated localised logistical challenges” affecting the movement or availability of fuel in certain areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, it stressed that these are operational in nature and do not constitute a national supply shortage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“These issues are being actively managed through established industry and regulatory channels,” it said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The department said that the isolated instances are not tied to the broader geopolitical events that have dominated commodity markets and the extreme surges in fuel price under-recoveries this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Such claims risk creating unnecessary alarm and confusion among the public,” it said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Calls for the public to rush to the pumps are irresponsible. They place undue pressure on supply systems, cause congestion at service stations, and anxiety among consumers.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The department said that members of the public are encouraged to continue purchasing fuel in the normal course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The Department and the Fuels Industry Association will continue to monitor the situation closely and will communicate any confirmed developments through official channels.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n