President Cyril Ramaphosa has established a ministerial task team to coordinate government action aimed at cushioning South Africans against rising fuel costs triggered by the war in the Middle East.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced the formation of the team during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Tshwane on Thursday.

Conflict between Israel, the United States and Iran has placed strain on crude oil supply chains across the world, leading to increased local fuel prices.

The task team comprises nine ministers, with Minerals and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe serving as chairperson. Other members include Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Willie Aucamp, and a representative from the Presidency.

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The team will coordinate government’s response to mitigate the impact on the cost of living, fuel and food security.

As an immediate intervention, the task team recommended a reduction in the fuel levy to alleviate the impact of fuel price increases that took effect on Wednesday. The general fuel levy reduction of R3 announced on Tuesday means the fuel levy will fall from R4.10 per litre to R1.10 per litre of petrol and reduce from R3.93 to R0.93 per litre of diesel.

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Ntshavheni assured South Africans that fuel supply remains stable in the country. She said dry fuel stations across the country are a result of logistics constraints due to panic buying and fuel hoarding.

“South Africans are discouraged from panic buying and fuel hoarding. We have got an adequate supply and we have got plans that will make sure South Africa remains fuel supply adequate,” Ntshavheni said.

The minister said Cabinet called for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Iran, Israel and the US.

Cabinet was informed that South Africa only relies on the Middle East supply for refined products. Ntshavheni said government was assured that South Africa’s fuel system remains supply adequate in the immediate period.

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