Pumps run dry at many petrol stations across South Africa

Many fuel stations across South Africa have run out of diesel, and in sporadic cases, petrol, prompting stakeholders to call for action.

Global fuel supply security has come under scrutiny following heightened tensions in Iran, which led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

This action disrupted the flow of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, which, in turn, affected countries that rely on fuel from this region.

The good news for South Africa is that its crude oil is sourced from Africa and the Atlantic basin, not in the Middle East.

However, the country imports the majority of its finished diesel from countries like India, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia.

Another challenge is that the diesel price, unlike petrol, where prices are set, is unregulated. This can lead to decisions aimed at optimizing profits.

Diesel wholesalers and retailers are free to set their own selling prices, leading to varying prices across sites.

With a suggested price increase of around R10 per litre expected, many fuel stations may hold onto their current stock to sell it at a much higher price next week.

Additionally, many people are aware of this large price increase, encouraging them to buy more diesel before the new prices kick in.

Fuels Industry Association of South Africa CEO Avhapfani Tshifularo said that the situation has created artificial demand for petrol and diesel.

These factors have caused fuel shortages, especially diesel shortages, at many fuel stations across the country.

Two weeks ago, AfriForum warned that certain petrol stations across the country were already experiencing fuel shortages.

AfriForum’s Community Safety structures are receiving feedback from various parts of the country that some petrol stations are without certain types of fuel.

“Disruptions in the supply chain led to sporadic fuel shortages locally, which catch motorists off guard if they do not plan ahead,” it said.

The DA wants the government to cut the fuel levy by 50% for immediate relief

Dr Mark Burke, the DA spokesperson on finance, wants the government to cut the fuel levy by 50% for immediate relief.

“Petrol price increases will drive up taxi fares, they will drive up food prices and they will drive down growth,” he said.

“We need to protect South Africans from them, especially if the price we pay is less patronage.”

Burke said that the Democratic Alliance is willing to work with the Minister of Finance to reduce both the RAF and General Fuel Levies by 50%.

This reduction, he said, would last for the duration of the oil price shock, or as long as possible, to protect motorists against high fuel prices.

Combined, the two levies add R6.35 to the overall fuel price. A 50% reduction would dampen increases by R3.17 and provide immediate relief.

“Sharp petrol price increases will hurt economic growth, increase inflation, and cripple household budgets,” Burke said.

Gwede Mantashe dismissed fuel supply concerns

Despite these problems, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe said South Africa’s fuel supply remains stable.

He told Parliament on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, that South Africans should not panic, as the country does not face a fuel shortage.

“Despite the heightened geopolitical risk, South Africa’s current petroleum supply security arrangement remains robust,” he said.

“The latest monitoring report confirms the overall supply is stable across petroleum products, with imports arriving as planned through mid-April 2026.”

He added that the inland fuel supply is supported by stable refining. Sasol, SAPREF, and the coal-to-liquid refinery in Secunda are ensuring a reliable energy supply.

“The reason why we are confident is that our department meets the petroleum producers twice a week to monitor the situation,” Mantashe said.

“So, when we articulate a position, it’s not only for the state-owned entities, but we are also talking for everybody.”

The Minister added that the Cape Town refinery’s maintenance shutdown ends at the end of April, which is expected to improve the reliability of the country’s supply.

He revealed that South Africa has at least 8 million barrels of crude oil in its strategic fuel stock. “That is not used. It will be used in real crises,” he said.

Many user reports about diesel shortages and high prices

Daily Investor has received numerous reports from readers across the country about high diesel prices and fuel shortages.

One user told the publication that the Engen One Stop in Vredekloof, a popular fuel station in the area, has run out of diesel.

“My friend then went to another fuel station, only to discover that they had increased their price per litre for diesel,” he said.

He phoned another Engen in the region on Saturday morning, and the station confirmed it had diesel at R21.25 per litre.

“When we arrived an hour later, the manager told us that they do not have diesel left. He didn’t show us his levels, so we had to take his word for it,” he said.

“There were no signs that they did not have diesel. They might hold onto the reserves and wait for the price hike to make a bit more money.”

Some good news is that they found diesel at the Engen on the N1, priced at R20.28 per litre, cheaper than most other stations.

However, they needed to fill a jerry can for the long weekend breakaway, and nobody wanted to give them diesel for it.

“This obviously makes it very difficult and forces people to make creative decisions for 20 liters of diesel,” he said.

Another user told Daily Investor that the petrol station he uses in Bronkhorstspruit has already increased its diesel prices to R25.00 per litre.

He urged the media and the government to monitor the situation to ensure there is no price-gouging.