TimesLive reports that fuel shortages have been reported at petrol stations across the country - making nonsense of the assurances of industry spokesmen last week that motorists had nothing to worry about unless the strike were prolonged.  

The strike by members of the Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union (Ceppwawu) at refineries is now in its fifth day.  They are demanding a 9% wage increase.  "Refinery operations are continuing and we are doing as much as is reasonably possible to maintain the supply of fuel to our network of Caltex stations," said a Chevron SA spokesperson.  Sasol said contingency plans were in place "to ensure the minimum disruption to our customers".

• Based on a report by Jerome Cornelius at TimesLive
• Read too, Motorists urged by employers’ association not to panic over possible fuel shortages, at SABC News
• And also, Metros may face petrol shortages, at City Press

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