Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has called for urgent national action against what he described as unethical behaviour by some fuel suppliers amid reports of shortages at filling stations in parts of the province. According to Cape Town Etc, Winde said the apparent withholding of fuel threatens economic stability and could hit livelihoods hard.

In a letter to the Presidency and the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Winde urged suppliers to keep deliveries flowing, especially to the agriculture sector. He warned that any disruption to fuel supply could place major pressure on an industry that plays a key role in South Africa’s exports and wider economy.

Diesel Shortages Hit Key Sectors

Reports cited by Cape Town Etc show that some filling stations in the Western Cape are facing fuel shortages, with diesel said to be the worst affected. That matters because diesel demand is especially high in agriculture, one of the province’s most important industries.

Winde said the risk goes beyond individual service stations. He warned that supply problems in a sector as critical as fuel could ripple across primary industries and damage the country’s economic recovery. He also stressed that provinces do not control fuel supply, which makes national government intervention essential.

Competition Watchdog Warns Over Price Gouging

The premier’s warning comes as the Competition Commission has again made it clear that price gouging is illegal. Suppliers that raise prices ahead of expected increases, or inflate prices beyond actual cost changes, could face prosecution.

Consumers have been encouraged to report suspected price gouging to the Commission, while fuel shortages can be reported directly to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, according to the report.

Monitoring Continues as Government Faces Pressure

The Provincial Disaster Management Centre, the Fuel Industry Association of South Africa and other stakeholders are monitoring the situation closely. Cape Town Etc reported that FIASA told the provincial government there is currently enough fuel nationally to meet demand. If that remains the case, shortages at certain stations may point to market manipulation rather than a national supply collapse.