Long queues have been seen on some petrol stations in Durban late on Thursday afternoon following rumours that there was fuel shortage in KZN on social media.
The rumour was quickly dismissed by Shiptech Ballito General Manager, Michael Papadopoulos, who told North Coast Courier that the Durban port storage facility had enough stock available.
Not wanting to take a chance and end up ruining their Easter travels due to the fuel shortage, motorists queued up at their local service stations to fill up their tanks.
There were reports that some petrol stations have started rationing, only allowing purchases of up to R400.
Indeed delivery of fuel at some stations around the province has been slow owing to roads damaged or closed due to flood damage.
A Pietermaritzburg fuel depot, PTA Petroleum, told it’s customers on Wednesday that it was suspending deliveries as it did not have access to Island View Storage (IVS) due to the damaged Bayhead road which leads to the facility.
What it generally means for consumers is that fuel deliveries are facing logistical problems because of flood-damaged roads network that could lead to temporary shortages, not countrywide shortages as reported on social media.
Motorists have been urged not to panic buy as supplies will reach them, albeit slowly in some places.
