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Cape Town - Motorists have been urged not to panic about
fuel running dry ahead of the latest petrol price hike kicking in on Wednesday.
Eye Witness News (EWN) reported on Monday that the South
African Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia) said on Friday contingency plans
were in place amid concerns the week-long truck drivers strike could affect
delivery.
The association said they were not part of the strike, and
it is unlikely fuel supplies will be affected.
It, however warned of a possible delay in deliveries.
The Department of Energy announced on Friday an increase of
21c and 23c in the pump price of 93- and 95 octane respectively.
The increases were due to higher international prices and a
weaker rand.
In July last year, hundreds of petrol stations, especially
in Gauteng, ran dry due to a strike in the petroleum sector which prevented
delivery trucks from transporting fuel from depots to filling stations.
It is feared that the current strike by truck drivers since
September 24 could lead to fuel shortages, especially because of the expected
rush on pumps before the pretol price hike kicks in on Wednesday.
Sapia said owing to the petrol price increase, there will be
higher demand, putting filling stations under pressure irrespective of the
strike.
"There will be some stations running short of some
products from time to time, but oil companies have adequate contingency plans
in place. We are definitely not yet in the same situation as during last year's
strike," Sapia said.
The Road Freight Employers Association (RFEA) and Unions were in talks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday but unfortunately parties have been unable to resolve the dispute, the RFEA said in a statement.
