Fuel shortage scare as strike begins
|Published
Strike has sparked fears that the pumps might run dry. Picture: S'bonelo Ngcobo / Independent Media. Strike has sparked fears that the pumps might run dry. Picture: S'bonelo Ngcobo / Independent Media.
Johannesburg - Fears that petrol pumps could run dry due to the petroleum industry wage dispute strike caused a social media frenzy on Thursday, with many people saying their local petrol stations were packed with panicked motorists.
But in the Joburg CBD, most service stations The Star visited seemed to be operating normally, with no large numbers of motorists lining up to fill their tanks.
This as about 15 000 workers affiliated to the Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union (Ceppwawu) were expected to down tools today in pursuit of a 9 percent wage increase.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Automobile Association indicated that the strike might bring the fuel industry to a complete halt.
“It is our understanding that the strike will affect all refineries and depots of petroleum companies. This strike does not include petrol pump attendants, but will start to impact motorists once the pumps at petrol stations begin to run dry,” said the AA.
And on Thursday on Twitter it appeared that some parts of the country were already experiencing problems as motorists flocked to petrol stations to ensure their cars were filled up.
@ILuvDBN tweeted: “Fill up your Fuel. #Durban garages are empty and those that have fuel are packed!! #Petrol Strike.”
PLS RT: Fill up your Fuel. #Durban garages are empty and those that have fuel are packed!! #PetrolStrike pic.twitter.com/Lmx2XCBYQt
— I Love Durban (@ILuvDBN) July 28, 2016
Craziness at petrol stations #strike #petrol #fillup pic.twitter.com/WMDx3i3VXc
— Neeta Raga Dullabh (@neetaraga) July 28, 2016
This was in sharp contrast to what was happening around Joburg.
Clement Chitja, head of the bargaining council for Ceppwawu, confirmed the strike action would go ahead as planned.
“Yes, indeed the strike is going ahead. We have exceeded our own expectations. Members of other unions have now confirmed that they will be joining us.”
However, Chitja said that for now, workers would not be taking to the streets, but would be confined to their workplaces.
The AA advised motorists to use fuel sparingly at all times.
The Star