"No need to panic": Premier Winde assures Western Cape of stable fuel supply

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has urged residents to remain calm, as there is sufficient fuel in the province.

This is despite concerns of possible fuel shortages due to the Middle East conflict.

The provincial government said it acknowledges public concern about potential impacts on fuel supply.

But it assures the public that current reserves are adequate to meet demand.

Winde said where shortages are being reported, they are largely the result of suppliers withholding fuel rather than an actual lack of supply.

Winde has urged suppliers to immediately release fuel orders.

He added that the province will not tolerate suppliers unethically holding onto fuel, while the agricultural sector is under pressure.

"We are having a look at this, and we are asking the fuel supply industry to check it out. We are also going across the agri-system to check and see what it is," said Winde.

Winde added the Provincial Disaster Management Centre is closely monitoring the situation and Cape residents are to remain calm, as there is sufficient fuel in the province.