Motorists have been advised to fill their tanks, as fuel shortages are expected to hit South Africa soon.
Petroleum industry workers will go on strike from 28 July, after union Ceppwawu said wage talks failed, according to IOL.
Workers at refineries, depots, and transfer facilities will take part in the strike, which will see more than 15,000 workers down tools.
Service station employees fall under a different bargaining council and are not taking part in the industrial action.
The transportation of petrol to filling stations would be primarily affected, stated the report.
Clement Chitja, head of collective bargaining at Ceppwawu, said it could take about three days for petrol stations to run dry.
Chitja said workers wanted a 9% increase, but employers were offering 7% for 2016.
Industrial action is scheduled to begin at 6am tomorrow morning – 28 July 2016, with the Automobile Association (AA) advising all motorists to take the necessary steps to ensure they have fuel.
“It is our understanding that the strike will affect all refineries and depots of petroleum companies. This strike does not include petrol pump attendants, but will start to impact motorists once the pumps at petrol stations start to run dry,” the AA said.
The Association advised motorists to ensure they top up their fuel tanks as regularly as reasonably possible. In addition, the AA said motorists should avoid taking unnecessary journeys, as well as stop-start driving to reduce fuel use.
“Driving with an air-conditioner on, speeding, and driving in peak hour traffic will consume fuel quicker. We therefore advise motorists to adjust their driving patterns as far as possible to ensure that the fuel in their tanks lasts that bit longer,” it said.
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