Johannesburg is facing a fuel crisis that has left municipal vehicles grounded

The City of Johannesburg is facing a fuel crisis that has left municipal vehicles grounded and now threatens service delivery.

This is the warning from the Democratic Alliance (DA), which said that the MMC for Transport in the City of Johannesburg has confirmed the crisis.

The MMC has reportedly said that Johannesburg Roads Agency vehicles cannot operate because refuelling services have been suspended.

“The problem is much wider and is affecting several departments and entities, including Pikitup and Johannesburg Water,” Councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said.

She explained that the consequences for Johannesburg residents include a standstill in service delivery, which will be felt in every community.

“Potholes cannot be repaired, traffic lights cannot be fixed, refuse cannot be collected, and water infrastructure faults cannot be attended to,” she said.

“What makes this situation even more concerning is that it comes just days after the council passed the City’s budget.”

Kayser-Echeozonjoku said that the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Dada Morero, told residents that the city was ready to deliver services.

“However, we now find ourselves in a situation where basic operational requirements, such as fuel, appear to be unaffordable,” she said.

She said that residents deserve to know how widespread this crisis is and what the city’s true financial position is.

“Residents must also be told what urgent steps are being taken to prevent a complete breakdown in service delivery,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku said.

“Johannesburg residents are paying more for services. The least they should expect is a city that can keep its vehicles on the road and deliver the basics.”