A voice note making the rounds on social media, warning of a fuel strike and petrol station shutdown from tomorrow (Friday), has been debunked as fake news.

This is according to The Fuel Retailers Association which refuted the voice note and assured South Africans that fuel stations would be open as usual.

The message, which has gone viral and caused widespread panic among commuters, states motorists must fill up before fuel stations run out of petrol, and that the nationwide shortage would run into the weekend.

What is true, however, is that filling stations will be moderately restricted per quota in the quantity of fuel they can request from Petro SA.

The arrangement is reportedly temporary and a precautionary measure to ensure there is sufficient fuel to keep Eskom running.

This fuel supply frenzy comes on the back of massive price hikes on all forms of fuel, and the ongoing uncertainty of the industry amid the Russia/Ukraine conflict.