AA: Riots, looting could impact fuel supply

AA: Riots, looting could impact fuel supply

The Automobile Association (AA) has warned the ongoing riots and looting in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng could impact the supply of fuel and oil.

Shoppers search for basics as many shops in KZN remain closed 2
Dineo Mphahlele

The price of petrol will also be affected by the drop in the rand against the US dollar.


To make matters worse, the South African Petroleum Refineries (Sapref) has declared force majeure and closed its doors.


READ: WATCH: Fuel refinery Sapref shuts, blaze rages on Queen Nandi Drive


Sores of people looted malls and destroyed property in the two provinces for a fifth consecutive day on Tuesday, disrupting the supply of services in many companies.


Sapref is the largest refinery in Southern Africa and accounts for 35% of the country’s refining capacity.


“The announcement by Sapref and the continued closure of N3 between Cedara and Heidelberg will enviably have an impact on supply,” says the AA’s Layton Beard. 


“We are seeing small pockets of people rushing to fuel stations we haven’t had major reports of fuel stations running dry but the fact that the supply is going to be compromised is going to have an impact and it is probably going to lead on some issues in the next coming days.


READ: Harrowing, heart-breaking tales of looting in Durban amid calls for 'no show' SANDF, police


“The supply of fuel is not going to affect the fuel price but what it going to affect the fuel price is the fact that since the beginning of riots the rand has taken a knock against the dollar.”

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