Fuel shortage could affect #Elections2016

File picture : Neil Baynes, Independent Media

File picture : Neil Baynes, Independent Media

Published Jul 30, 2016

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Durban - Petrol stations around the country have started running dry as a result of the petroleum industry strike.

Political parties on Friday night expressed fears it could affect the municipal elections on Wednesday if the strike was not resolved by then.

Workers affiliated to the Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union downed tools on Thursday following failed salary negotiations.

Panic buying since then has rapidly emptied tanks at service stations with many unsure when tankers will replenish stocks.

Ironically, this happened as news broke of a price decrease as from next Wednesday due to a drop in the international product prices, as well as the rand strengthening.

The petrol price will drop by 99 cents a litre and diesel by 74c a litre, the Central Energy Fund said.

On Friday, some garage owners were left not knowing when to expect their next refill and anxiously kept in touch with their suppliers hoping for news that a tanker would be on its way.

Reacting to the news last night, DA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango said: “To conclude a free and fair election, we need an environment that is conducive for everyone who wants to vote.

“If vehicles cannot move people to the polling stations, your right to vote is denied,” he said.

IFP spokesperson Albert Mncwango, who had similar concerns, called on parties involved at the negotiations to look at the bigger picture “in the interests of the general public”.

Zeph Ndlovu, president of the Durban Chamber of Commerce, called on organised labour and employers to resolve the strike “for the sake of South Africa”.

“The petrol strike comes at a very bad time with us trying to bring ourselves out of the economic challenges stemming from Brexit. It will pull us back in our growth trajectory.”

Ndlovu called on the parties to be patriotic and responsible.

“We need to be sending out the right signals that South Africa is stable and able to solve issues.”

Meanwhile, David Dewrance, manager of the Bulwer Park Service Station in Glenwood, said: “Customers have been understanding. It was well publicised.”

The garage ran out of fuel at 10.30am on Friday. Across the N3, Cowey Centre Motors ran out at lunchtime. Caltex in Johannes Nkosi Road had only diesel after 3.30pm, while Grant’s Garage in eManzimtoti had the opposite problem. “There was a lot of panic buying,” said manager Hayden Russell.

When The Independent on Saturday visited Windermere Garage on Friday evening, the manager, who would not give his name, said he had just received a delivery after having been dry for the day. “I can now see a lot more cars on my forecourt.”

The Shell Garage on the Bluff ran out of petrol at 2pm but was expecting an evening delivery and another in the early hours. Manager Pat Naicker said they had been confirmed by e-mail.

The manager at South Road Shell Garage in Overport said customers had been “going crazy filling up” on Thursday.

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