Mantashe reassures South Africans on fuel supply what Johannesburg motorists should know

Minister says national fuel supplies are sufficient despite global tensions

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has reassured South Africans that the country has sufficient fuel supply to meet demand amid disruptions linked to the Middle-East conflict. Delivering the 2026 budget vote in the National Assembly, Mantashe said global energy supply chains have been destabilised but that South Africa’s supply remains stable.

What the government has done

Mantashe highlighted that, together with National Treasury, the government introduced temporary relief measures, including a reduction of the fuel levy for the period between April and June. He warned, however, that this is not a permanent solution.

“While South Africans have welcomed this intervention, we are fully aware that it is not a permanent solution,”

Longer-term plans mentioned in Parliament

The minister said South Africa remains heavily dependent on imported refined petroleum products and that this dependence is not sustainable. He said the focus is on developing the upstream petroleum industry and on expanding refining capacity.

Mantashe also stressed the need to speed up processing of the South African National Petroleum Company Bill to enable the full operationalisation of the South African National Petroleum Company and to allow for meaningful state participation in the oil and gas sectors.

What Johannesburg motorists should take from this

• Supply assurance: The minister has publicly stated that fuel supply is sufficient and stable.
• Temporary levy relief: The reduction in the fuel levy applies from April to June and is described as a short-term measure, not a permanent fix.
• Government monitoring: Mantashe said his department is working closely with industry stakeholders and will continue to monitor the supply situation and ensure transparency.

Context from the budget vote

Mantashe framed the budget as a strategic response to global geopolitical realities that are affecting energy security and economic recovery. He said protecting livelihoods and securing the energy future are priorities as price volatility and international instability persist.

Official tone and next steps

The minister’s remarks in Parliament emphasised reassurance and supervision rather than new immediate interventions. He said the department will continue to monitor supply with industry stakeholders and maintain transparency on the situation.