The Automobile Association has warned that South Africa could face fuel shortages in the next few days.

This after fuel refinery, SAPREF, outside Durban, declared ‘force majeure’ because of the looting and violence in KwaZulu-Natal – meaning that it is ceasing operations for now.

Force majeure is a declaration that a company is not able to continue operating.

SAPREF is the largest crude oil refinery in sub-Saharan Africa and makes around one-third of South Africa’s petrol.

There have been sporadic reports of petrol stations running out of fuel in Gauteng.

Meanwhile, the AA says it has received sporadic calls from motorists saying some fuel stations have run dry.

However, AA spokesperson Layton Beard has called on the public not to panic at this stage, saying there is still enough fuel at the moment.

*According to a reliable source some filling stations in Gauteng are already out of fuel.