The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) has urged the public to refrain from panic buying fuel.

This follows the circulation of statements and messages by certain organisations and individuals encouraging people to rush to filling stations due to a perceived fuel shortage and anticipated price increases.

In a statement issued on Friday, March 20, the DMPR and the Fuels Industry Association reiterated that South Africa’s fuel supply remains stable in the immediate term and that there is no basis for panic buying.

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“While there may be isolated, localised logistical challenges affecting the movement or availability of fuel in certain areas, these are operational in nature and do not constitute a national supply shortage. The issues are being actively managed through established industry and regulatory channels.

“It is therefore incorrect and misleading to link such isolated domestic logistical matters to broader geopolitical developments. Such claims risk creating unnecessary alarm and confusion among the public, placing undue pressure on supply systems, causing congestion at service stations and increasing anxiety among consumers,” the statement said.

The DMPR has called on organisations, public representatives, commentators and social media users to act responsibly and refrain from spreading unverified or speculative claims about fuel supply and price developments.

Members of the public are encouraged to continue purchasing fuel as normal and to rely on official government communication for accurate and verified information.

Consumers experiencing fuel-related challenges or wishing to lodge complaints are encouraged to report these to fuel.complaints@dmpr.gov.za, enabling the department’s inspectors to respond and intervene where necessary.