Officials from the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) have proposed an astonishing, surface-level solution to concerns around the expected surge in fuel costs and looming supply constraints, calling on motorists to stay at home.
This comes ahead of an expected hike in petrol and diesel prices when fuel prices are adjusted next Wednesday (1 April), in the wake of Brent oil having spiralled to around $100 a barrel since the start of the Iran war.
The soft call to work from home reads like the set-up seen during the Covid lockdowns.
But the practicality of it is easy to question when the industries that carry the economy – mining, manufacturing, agriculture, construction, retail, and logistics – cannot function on remote work.
The department, headed by Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, generally announces changes in fuel prices at the end of the month. The changes then take effect on the first Wednesday of the new month.
Time to ‘get crafty’
Robert Maake, director of the Fuel Pricing Mechanism at the DMPR, says that in the absence of state intervention – at the moment – consumers will need to get crafty on ways to lessen the blow of the higher prices.
“And then on the fuel saving tips, I just said that one of the tips or maybe recommendation[s] is working from home to reduce the demand and also to save on the cost.”
While possible interventions won’t be decided upon before the April changes, Maake says various government departments continue to meet daily to discuss the way forward, including talks to carefully weigh up options as pressure mounts for a coordinated response.
The DMPR tried to play down the comment in a statement clarifying its position, saying “the remarks were made in response to a question from the floor during a workshop on fuel pricing mechanisms” and that it’s not “official position or policy proposal of the department or government”.
A relatively marginal increase in the general fuel levy also takes effect next Wednesday.
“We know there are other discussions taking place above our level, by our principals and so on. If there’s any decision taken, they will make the necessary announcement. At the moment, we haven’t been told of anything on any intervention,” Maake reiterates.
Instead, he recommends other means to get by for now. – Moneyweb