No cause for alarm over petroleum supplies, says minister
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has urged South Africans to remain calm, insisting that the country's fuel supply chain is holding firm despite mounting global pressures. Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, Mantashe moved to quell growing concerns about possible shortages linked to international shipping disruptions.
Anxiety over fuel security has intensified following escalating tensions involving Iran, which triggered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The blockage has sent ripples through worldwide oil and liquified natural gas markets, raising questions about South Africa's ability to maintain adequate reserves.
Mantashe, however, painted a reassuring picture, noting that the latest monitoring data confirms petroleum product supplies remain steady, with scheduled imports on track through mid-April 2026. He pointed to the country's inland refining operations — including Sasol, SAPREF and the coal-to-liquid facility in Secunda — as key pillars ensuring energy reliability.
"Despite the heightened geopolitical risk, including disruptions in the Middle East shipping routes, the Republic's current petroleum supply security arrangement remains robust. The latest monitoring report confirms the overall supply is stable across petroleum products, with imports arriving as planned through the mid-April 2026."
The minister emphasised that his department convenes meetings with all petroleum producers twice weekly to keep a close watch on developments, adding that official assessments reflect input from both state-owned entities and private sector operators.
Crude oil sourced beyond the Middle East
Mantashe highlighted that South Africa draws its crude oil primarily from African nations and the Atlantic basin rather than the Middle East, which provides a significant buffer against disruptions in that volatile region. He noted that the country's refining capacity alone delivers 40% of its energy security needs, while forward import arrangements are being extended to bolster diversification efforts.
"Even the Strait of Hormuz allows cargo that comes to South Africa without interruption. That means, we are having the chance of having stable supply over a long period. There should be no panic in society."
On the topic of Liquified Petroleum Gas, the minister confirmed that supplies in this category have likewise remained consistent. He also noted that the Cape Town refinery's scheduled maintenance shutdown is due to conclude at the end of April, which should further strengthen the country's supply position.
Mantashe addressed recent speculation about jet fuel availability, acknowledging that prices have surged dramatically — nearly doubling — but firmly rejecting suggestions of a shortage. He confirmed that all fuel supplies, including jet fuel, are secured through the end of April.
"Jet fuel…has been announced as short. It is not short. The price has gone up dramatically, almost double. But there is no shortage of supply of jet fuel."
The minister further disclosed that South Africa holds a minimum of 8 million barrels of crude oil in its strategic reserves, providing an additional safety net should global conditions deteriorate further.
