Red flags over petrol quality in South Africa

The Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa has called on the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) to implement stricter fuel-quality testing for locally sold petrol.

It suggested the department add N-methylaniline to a sample of South Africa’s petrol specification and begin testing it. 

This follows AmaBhungane publishing findings about an investigation into dealings between state-owned PetroSA and junior fuel trader Nako Energy on 17 September 2026.

It reported that an internal PetroSA investigation found petrol “reacted to car paint”, and that affected vehicles were repainted by panel beaters in Mossel Bay.

The report added that Sasol and Astron Energy found more than 6% N-methylaniline in the product, against a recommended level of around 1.2% allowed by the Fuels Industry Association.

The additive is banned in fuels sold in Europe, China and Russia due to severe toxicity, environmental concerns, and risks of vehicle damage.

However, in South Africa, the additive, which is used to increase the octane number of petrol at low concentrations, is neither banned nor tested for.

“A specification that does not test for a substance is not a specification. It is a document,” said Bobby Ramagwede, CEO of the AA.

“Motorists on the Garden Route bought petrol at ordinary forecourts, watched the paint come off their cars, and paid the panel beater for the repairs themselves.”

He added that the AA is calling for the DMPR to add N-methylaniline to the national petrol standard and publish the sampling protocol, inform the country when the first test will be run and who will run it.

According to Ramagwede, if this cannot be done during the current financial year, the department becomes responsible for explaining why.

In addition to adding N-methylaniline testing to the national petrol specification and publishing results quarterly, the AA is calling for a clear route to redress for motorists whose vehicles were damaged, including who is liable, and how to make a claim.

PetroSA could be liquidated

In the AmaBhungane report, the centre revealed that PetroSA owes SARS R4 billion and fuel trader Addax more than R700 million, closing the 2023 financial year with R3.5 billion in unpaid trade payables.

It added that junior fuel trader Nako Energy applied to the Western Cape Division of the High Court for an order placing PetroSA under provisional liquidation, which PetroSA confirmed it will oppose.

Plane Tree Capital, which now holds Nako’s claim, has also demanded R620,519,979 plus interest.

“Before a single liability is transferred, we also call for a full audited schedule of what the public is absorbing to be tabled,” said Ramagwede.

“A motorist who pays the fuel levy is a creditor in this story, and creditors are entitled to a statement.”

Should the liquidation go ahead, Ramagwede noted that South Africa’s refining capacity will not be affected, as it would formalise a closure that happened six years ago.

However, concerns remain about storage capacity, import terminals and custody of national fuel stock.

While the AA publicly took no position on the merits of the dispute, it has raised three concerns that reach motorists, fleet operators and taxpayers, no matter how the litigation ends.

These include how fuel quality is regulated, how public liabilities are transferred, and who holds the country’s fuel stock.

To address these concerns, the Automobile Association has called for a full, audited schedule of PetroSA’s liabilities to be tabled before Parliament votes on the South African National Petroleum Company Bill.

For motorists’ peace of mind, it also called for a monthly publication of national days of cover for petrol and diesel.

Ramagwede said he would rather work with industry than around it, and urged bulk fuel buyers to insist on a certificate of analysis when purchasing fuel.