Minister Gwede Mantashe, South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, dismissed concerns about a fuel shortage. He assured the public during a National Assembly session that no shortages exist amid the Middle East conflict. This matters now as global tensions rise, but South Africans can rely on stable supplies.
Mantashe stated there is no shortage of diesel, paraffin, petrol, or jet fuel. Products headed to South Africa are passing through the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran allowing them.
South Africa sources its crude oil from Africa, mainly Nigeria. The country processes this oil in its own stable refineries.
“there’s no reason to hit the panic button because the country has stable refineries and also sources its crude oil from Africa and not the Middle East. ‘Nigeria being a major supplier of crude. Then we process that crude in our refining capacity. So that’s where we are, there’s no reason to panic, supply is secured. Now I can tell you up to the until the end of April, including jet fuel, which has been announced as short, it’s not short.'”
Mantashe made these comments while responding to questions in the National Assembly’s economics cluster.
ANC MP Fasiha Hassam asked about fuel supply plans given the global instability. The conflict involves Iran, Israel, and the US.
South Africa avoids Middle East crude oil risks by focusing on African suppliers. Its refineries remain steady.
While no shortages exist, jet fuel prices have almost doubled, according to Mantashe.
Jet fuel price has almost doubled.
Fuel price hikes loom ahead. The DA proposed cutting levies by 50% to ease the impact on consumers.
Supply stays secure through the end of April, Mantashe confirmed. This includes jet fuel.
An oil crisis could affect exploration for new energy resources in South Africa. Officials monitor the situation closely.
Conversation
0 Comments