“Government and fuel industry representatives have suggested remote work as a practical and immediate way for households to cushion the impact of a looming fuel-price shock, with increases expected to take effect from 1 April and potentially extend into May.”

“A significant fuel-price adjustment is expected to be announced on Friday.”

“Stakeholders are now discussing how the fuel-pricing mechanism can support security of supply.”

“Global fuel-price shocks and growing supply fears have been driven by global oil-market volatility linked to the US-Israel war on Iran, which has kept Brent crude prices above $100 a barrel for almost two weeks.”

“Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand have all introduced new rules to allow public servants to work from home, and governments there have encouraged the private sector to do the same.”

“In the Philippines, some government departments now force employees to work from home at least one day a week.”

“Thailand is also encouraging work from home and has called on citizens to ditch suits in favour of T-shirts in a bid to cut down on energy used for cooling.”

“Sri Lanka has shortened working weeks for some government employees to four days, with most state institutions, including schools and universities, now closed every Wednesday to conserve fuel.”

“Motorists are also only allowed to buy 15 litres of fuel a week. In Egypt, all shopping centres, stores and restaurants must now be closed by 21:00 on Wednesday and 22:00 on weekends.”

“While South Africa’s fuel industry insists supply is secure for now, the price pain is unavoidable as the government prepares to announce significant fuel-price adjustments on Friday.”

“Central Energy Fund data indicated an increase of R5.72 a litre for 95-octane petrol – taking it to R26.23 a litre once the levy increases are added thận.”

“The DA on Wednesday called for a 50% reduction in fuel levies and said it had submitted an “urgent” proposal to Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe and President Cyril Ramaphosa.”

“The DA’s proposal for reducing fuel levies is a factual claim about a political party's stance.”

“Following the 21c a litre increase, the general fuel levy and RAF levy will be a combined R6.35 come 1 April. But the DA is advocating for this to be cut to R3.17 to offer immediate relief.”

“Certain local costs are further factored into the overall fuel price that one pays at the pump. This includes distribution costs, wholesale and retail regulated profit margins, and taxes and levies.”

“Some of these are also set to rise in April, including the general fuel levy, the Road Accident Fund levy, carbon taxes and pipeline tariffs. These adjustments will add 21c to the petrol price — negligible when compared with the oil-driven increase in the BFP.”

“Because prices are only adjusted monthly, any mismatch between global costs and local pump prices is tracked through the slate mechanism and is later recovered from consumers.”

“At least R400 a month increase”

“The Fuel Industry Association illustrated that a typical commuter driving 1 000km a month, using about 80 litres of fuel, would pay an extra R400 a month if petrol prices were to rise by R5 a litre.”

“The Basic Fuel Price (BFP) currently accounts for about 43% of the pump price.”

“The BFP is being pushed higher by rising oil prices, a weaker rand-dollar exchange rate, and higher shipping and insurance costs.”

“There is diesel… It’s just the rate at which these stations are being replenished,” Tshifularo said, pointing to panic buying and bulk purchases ahead of the price hike as the main cause of localised outages.”

“A typical commuter driving 1 000km a month, using about 80 litres of fuel, would pay an extra R400 a month if petrol prices were to rise by R5 a litre.”

“Despite reports of some service stations and fuel depots running dry, officials insist South Africa is not facing a fuel shortage. Instead, they say, the pressure is being driven by behaviour.”