Western Cape fuel shortages linked to petrol hoarding by suppliers

African officials and local media describe the shortages in South Africa and Kenya as largely driven by oil marketers and suppliers hoarding fuel to profit from future price rises. Governments in Nairobi and Pretoria are portrayed as trying to protect consumers by threatening penalties and urging normal buying patterns. The expectation is that tougher enforcement and public pressure will push fuel back into the market if hoarding is the main cause.

• •Kenya’s energy ministry accuses specific oil marketers of holding back fuel stocks instead of supplying petrol stations.
• •South African provincial officials in the Western Cape link empty pumps to suppliers delaying deliveries for profit.
• •African governments warn that household stockpiling of fuel worsens shortages and creates fire hazards.
• •Regulators in Kenya and South Africa are preparing or considering sanctions against companies found to be hoarding.
• •African commentators argue that better oversight of fuel imports and storage would reduce room for speculative hoarding.