Western Cape fuel shortages spark hoarding fears ahead of price hikes

Cape Town – South Africans are bracing for steep fuel price hikes driven by escalating conflict in the Middle East, with early impacts already being felt in parts of the Western Cape.

While government and industry bodies insist national fuel supply remains stable and warn against panic buying, reports from the Garden Route and surrounding areas indicate diesel shortages and rationing at some service stations.

According to IOL, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said authorities began picking up reports of shortages last week and are investigating possible fuel hoarding.

He warned that some suppliers may be withholding stock bought at lower prices to sell later at higher rates, calling the practice “unacceptable”.

Winde said the province is engaging with the fuel industry to address conflicting information between official assurances and on-the-ground reports, adding that some relief has been noted in certain areas, although shortages persist elsewhere.

He also cautioned both suppliers and the public against hoarding fuel.

As reported by The South Cape Forum, farmers say limited diesel access is disrupting operations during a critical planting and harvesting period, with some receiving only a fraction of their usual allocations.

“Our orders have been placed, but so far no deliveries have been possible. We approached two separate companies last week, but neither was able to supply the fuel. Hopefully some diesel will come through somewhere. Until then, we wait,” the report quoted Dean Barnard, a farmer from Waboomskraal near George as saying.

Rising fuel costs are also pushing up input prices like fertiliser, raising concerns about lower crop yields and higher food prices.

Government maintains contingency plans are in place to manage supply risks, but latest data shows significant under-recoveries, pointing to sharp increases from April 1 — with petrol expected to rise by over R5 per litre and diesel by more than R9 per litre.