DA calls for urgent national debate regarding diesel shortage
25 June 2020
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will request an urgent debate of national importance in Parliament regarding South Africa’s current diesel shortage and the possible impending food crisis.
On Tuesday, the DA again requested an urgent briefing regarding the diesel crisis during the Portfolio Committee meeting on Mineral Resources and Energy, but was told that the committee was reassured by reports from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) that the shortage was due to short term logistical issues, and not a serious concern.
This is a direct contradiction to the experience on the ground. According to reports wholesalers in various provinces have been unable to obtain diesel for about four weeks. And farmers are concerned that they don’t have enough diesel to harvest their crops, transport said crops to silos or mills, or even transport goods to shops.
The committee decided that the Department need only address the issue at a meeting on 19 August.