Motorists across South Africa (SA) are being urged to stay alert as allegations emerge that some fuel stations are deliberately running dry ahead of a looming price hike expected next week.
Economist Dawie Roodt has warned that stockpiling fuel to exploit a projected increase of around R9 ($0,53) per litre could amount to unethical and potentially illegal conduct.
Authorities are calling on consumers to report suspicious “no stock” claims as pressure mounts on retailers accused of profiteering.
The developments raise fresh concerns about transparency and accountability in the country’s fuel supply chain.
Director and Chief Economist of the Efficient Group, Dawie Roodt, explains, “Some of the fuel stations say they ran out of fuel, but they are actually holding fuel in anticipation of a higher petrol price, or a higher diesel price, for example. So, that certainly is possible. And so, is it right for them to do this? In some cases, it’s completely legal, and I think in most cases it’s completely illegal. So, there’s no legal objection to this. There could be a moral objection to this.”
–SABC–
