South African motorists reduce fuel consumption as prices rise, reserves detailed
via The Citizen3 min read
Data from Discovery Insure indicates a significant drop in fuel purchases by South African motorists. In April, clients bought 35% less fuel and processed 28% fewer transactions. Total trips decreased by 10% and distances driven by 9%, even after adjusting for public holidays. A survey of high-income earners revealed that 58% increased their use of e-hailing services compared to last year, rising to 70% among 18 to 30-year-olds. Rising fuel costs were cited by 35% of respondents as the reason, while 54% cited convenience. Robert Attwell, CEO of Discovery Insure, noted a clear consumer response to higher petrol prices, with motorists driving less and combining trips. Before April's price increase, daily fuel transactions doubled on March 30 and 31, with total spend rising by 81%. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources DMPR confirmed that this surge in purchases challenged its "rate of replenishment." As of March 31, the Strategic Fuel Fund SFF held 8.05 million barrels of crude oil, equivalent to approximately 40 days of the country's refining capacity. This translates to 603.7 million litres of unrefined petrol stock. South Africa's refining capacity has reportedly decreased by about 50% since 2021.
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Some members of the Democratic Alliance DA are reportedly upset about the decision to remove former DA leader John Steenhuisen from his position as agriculture minister. The discontent stems from an alleged agreement between current DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis and Steenhuisen, where Steenhuisen would retain his ministerial role if he did not seek another term as party leader. Hill-Lewis has since written to President Cyril Ramaphosa, proposing Steenhuisen's replacement by Willie Aucamp as agriculture minister, with Steenhuisen moving to deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. Ramaphosa has not yet confirmed these changes. Some DA members claim they were not consulted on the reshuffle, with one source suggesting that Hill-Lewis's decision has exposed party divisions and that Steenhuisen feels "betrayed." Political analyst Prof Theo Neethling indicated that the move might be "pure DA damage control" due to Steenhuisen's handling of the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, which alienated many farmers. Hill-Lewis, however, stated his decision was made in the best interests of the DA and the government of national unity, prioritizing public and voter loyalty.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of party leader Jacob Zuma, stated she does not hold her father responsible for her expulsion from the MK party, instead blaming individuals surrounding the party's leadership. She made these comments at a media briefing on Sunday, following her and former national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela's expulsion from the party on Thursday. Zuma-Sambudla indicated she has not yet discussed the expulsion with her father but plans to do so next week. The party cited a series of actions, public statements, and activities by Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela as reasons for their removal. Zuma-Sambudla was accused of undermining party unity and promoting factional narratives, while Ndhlela was accused of unauthorized media briefings and misrepresenting party positions. Ndhlela claims that both his and Zuma's roles in the MK party were undermined and that he and Zuma-Sambudla will challenge their expulsions in the high court, asserting that no disciplinary hearing was held before their removal.
A Limpopo councillor, Netshivhumbe Gumani, 44, was arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe a Special Investigating Unit SIU investigator with R70,000 to disregard evidence in a corruption probe. The investigation concerns allegations of maladministration and corruption related to two tenders by the Mahikeng Local Municipality. Gumani reportedly approached three SIU investigators, offering R10,000 in cash as part of the bribe during a meeting in Mahikeng. The SIU, in collaboration with the South African Police Service and the Hawks, conducted an entrapment operation leading to Gumani's arrest. He faces corruption charges and appeared in the Molopo Magistrates' Court, with his case postponed to June 29, 2026, for a bail application. The SIU stated that its investigators maintain high integrity and that attempts to corrupt them will be met with legal action.