The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for an urgent meeting of the Transport Portfolio Committee to discuss the dire implications of the recent zoning change in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB), which has effectively classified the metro as an inland destination.
This change, approved by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, has resulted in higher fuel prices for NMB residents, unfairly burdening them during severe economic hardship.
The decision will not only impact local motorists but will also result in a ripple effect across the economy. Higher fuel prices will increase the cost of transportation, raise food prices, and hit the agricultural sector particularly hard, as fuel costs are higher the further from the port one gets.
At a time when residents are grappling with a severe cost of living crisis, the minister has chosen to prioritise the profits of the Liquid Fuels Wholesalers Association over the well-being of the people of NMB. While the rest of the country benefits from a substantial reduction in fuel prices, residents of NMB find themselves paying more at the pump.
The reason for this disparity is the temporary closure of Port Elizabeth’s tanker berth, which was severely damaged in June when a fuel tanker collided with the berth during docking. As a result, fuel that would normally be offloaded in Port Elizabeth now has to be diverted to East London.
In response, fuel wholesalers applied for and were granted an inland designation for the metro, allowing them to pass on the increased transportation costs to consumers.
In the meantime, the financial burden on Nelson Mandela Bay residents must be minimised, ensuring they are not unfairly penalised during this temporary disruption. Even though this inland classification is said to be temporary, it could have lasting effects on future fuel pricing adjustments, which is why it is critical that it be reversed as soon as possible.
The current situation in NMB is not just unacceptable, it’s deeply unjust. Residents should not be unfairly burdened with the financial implications of infrastructure failures that are beyond their control.
The DA stands with the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and the residents of NMB in expressing outrage over this decision. It is unacceptable for our community to shoulder the burden of rising costs while facing a severe cost-of-living crisis. Minister Mantashe’s unilateral decision to reclassify Nelson Mandela Bay as an inland zone, without consulting local stakeholders, is not just unfair but a blatant disregard for the needs of our community.
We are calling on the Transport Portfolio Committee to engage with all relevant stakeholders to discuss a fair and equitable solution. At the very least, the Minister must commit to reversing the inland zoning of Nelson Mandela Bay by the end of November, which is the deadline Transnet gave for repairs to the port to be completed.
The DA is also calling on Transnet to urgently fast-track repairs to the damaged berth to restore normal fuel operations. Nelson Mandela Bay residents cannot be expected to pay the price for the port’s delays in repairing its own infrastructure.
I will also be raising this matter during the next plenary sitting of the Eastern Cape Legislature.
The DA will continue to fight for the rights of all South Africans, ensuring that no community is unfairly disadvantaged by decisions that ignore the real challenges people are facing.