Contingency plans in place amid Zim fuel crisis, says SA petroleum association

The South Africa Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) has put contingency plans in place should there be an influx of Zimbabweans in search of petrol and diesel. 

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on Saturday that the price of petrol and diesel will rise by more than a 100 percent. 

The move is meant to improve supplies amid the country’s worst fuel shortages in a decade. 

The association’s Siganeko Magafela said on Wednesday that while long queues at fuel stations close to the Zimbabwean border are to be expected, South Africans shouldn't worry about a shortage in supplies.

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"We expect long queues at our retail sites but when it comes to the availability of supplies people shouldn't panic, they will wait longer to fill up their cars.”

 The association says it has depots in Polokwane, which is not far from the Musina border.

“We are not worried, we got depot in Polokwane and the distances are not that far, replenishment will be made, and we will call on our members as well to make sure they got trucks on standby if there is a requirement." 

The Department of International Relations says South African diplomats are in talks with their Zimbabwean counterparts.

The department’s spokesperson Ndivhuwo Mabaya says they are in support of the measure put in place by the Zimbabwean government.

"We believe that the measure being put in place by the Zimbabwean government, supported by ourselves and maybe the SADC community, will be able to resolve the challenges as soon as possible.

"Let's allow the people of Zimbabwe to put those measures, and we will support them, (but) it will be better if they explain what they are doing.” 

At least five people have been killed during violent protests in Zimbabwe over the past few days.