The Department of Minerals and Energy Affairs would not intervene in the strike by fuel production workers, but would monitor developments and supply levels, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.
”Although we have a concern, this is basically an employer issue and we do not really have a mandate [to intervene]. If we did we would be overstepping our mandate and could easily burn our fingers,” said Sputnik Ratau.
Earlier Pasco Dyani, president of the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers’ Union (Ceppwawu), called on Minerals and Energy Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica to intervene in the pay dispute the union declared with employers on Monday.
Ratau said the ministry could not respond directly to the Ceppwawu call because it had only been made through the media and not communicated directly to Sonjica’s office, and was speaking generally about intervention possibilities.
”We haven’t had a formal request so we can’t respond,” he said.
”We are monitoring the situation because we have a concern about the impact if it [the strike] is long term, but Sapia [South African Petroleum Industry Association] says they have contingencies for the next few days or so, so hopefully we can find a resolution.”
He said generally the country would have supplies for ”a couple of weeks” so it was not a ”point of danger” regarding supplies.
The strike has already seen PetroSA shut down its Mossel Bay operations for the safety of workers and the facility, according to PetroSA’s vice-president of operations, Dan Marokane.
Sasol spokesperson Johann van Rheede said it was ”business as usual” at its operations.
National Petroleum Employers Association spokesperson Alfie Ngcubo said the impact of the strike had been minimal and the majority of refineries were still operating.
”But there is always a threat,” he added.
Depots were open, but problems had been reported in Langlaagte, Johannesburg, and some in Pretoria.
”It can’t be said that there will be shortages or we will run dry because of the strike as yet,” said Ngcubo.
”But if the strike intensifies, then there will be an impact.”
Ceppwawu spokesperson Keith Jacobs said it was demanding a 9,5% increase against the company’s offer of an 8%.
Another union, the General Industrial Workers Union of South Africa, which Jacobs said was also participating, was not immediately available for comment.
Meanwhile, PetroSA said picketing workers dispersed peacefully from outside their offices on Wednesday.
On Thursday morning, PetroSA management at Mossel Bay would look at how many employees report for work before deciding whether to restart certain refinery units.
The plant had been shut down on Wednesday. – Sapa