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.
The Provincial Disaster Management Centre is monitoring the situation, in coordination with the Fuel Industry Association of South Africa (FIASA), Agri Western Cape (Agri WC), Regional Disaster Management Centres, the Department of Health and Wellness: EMS and Eskom.
Isolated reports of shortages are due to suppliers not releasing fuel to customers, which is impacting the agricultural sector. Agri WC reports that some farmers are only receiving ~20% of their usual monthly diesel allocations. These effects are most acute in the Garden Route and West Coast Districts.
The FIASA is working with Agri WC to identify fuel suppliers that are rationing supply.
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.
“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 Premier 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.
The Western Cape Government will continue monitoring the situation and will provide updates as necessary.
