Winde urges national intervention over alleged fuel hoarding in Western Cape

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has written to the Presidency and Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, raising concern over what he says is increased hoarding of fuel stock by some suppliers.

Winde said that the province is aware of isolated incidents where petrol stations are running short or have depleted their supply and are unable to source more.

Rising tensions in the Middle East have pushed global oil prices above 100 dollars a barrel in recent weeks, with sharp increases expected locally from this week.

While the government has assured citizens that fuel supply remains adequate, concerns persist about potential shortages.

Premier Alan Winde is urging the national government to act against what he calls unscrupulous suppliers, warning their conduct could derail the country’s economic recovery.

He described the alleged hoarding as unethical, saying withholding fuel threatens livelihoods and places key sectors such as agriculture at risk.

The sector contributes more than half of South Africa’s exports.

Winde has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Gwede Mantashe to urgently intervene to ensure stability and prevent disruption to the economy.

He said that he's escalated the matter because provinces have no mandate over fuel supply, and is urging residents to report shortages to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

Winde added that the Fuel Industry Association of South Africa has assured the province that there's sufficient supply nationally to meet demand, suggesting that any shortages at the pump level may be the result of market manipulation.

By Nkosikhona Malinga-Mnisi