Ntshavheni discourages panic buying as fuel supply pressures mount

Minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni addressing the media

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has urged South Africans to avoid panic buying and fuel hoarding amid petroleum supply challenges locally and internationally. Ntshavheni was speaking at a post-cabinet briefing in Pretoria, Gauteng.

Earlier this week, motorists rushed to fill up ahead of the steep fuel price increase, causing some stations to run empty.

EXPLAINER | Despite a last-minute R3.00 per litre temporary fuel levy cut by the National Treasury, South Africans will face a steep fuel price increase from midnight. Here is how much motorists will pay in different parts of the country. pic.twitter.com/cXbdWf4pyN

— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 31, 2026

Ntshavheni has assured citizens that South Africa’s fuel supply remains adequate.

“It is the panic buying wherein people are even going with containers to buy fuel and to hoard fuel. That is causing the dry stations. If you remember, we are supplied from particular refineries and particular depots that service all the stations. So if you go and buy, when the fuel station knows that they supply, they get once a week, it lasts them seven days, and now you go and buy and decrease that fuel availability to three days.”

WATCH | Motorists in Cape Town are rushing to filling stations ahead of the steep fuel price increase that takes effect at midnight. SABC News reporter Corbin August has the full details. pic.twitter.com/sk3BSFzdb3

— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 31, 2026