There is no need for motorists to rush to fill their vehicles up with petrol, the South African Petroleum Retailers (Sapra) told Fin24 on Wednesday afternoon.

This was after rumours were rife on social media for the past few days about a disruptive strike planned by the Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood & Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU).

According to Sapra, wage negotiations with the union are still taking place, with the next round aimed for the second or third week of July. No notice to strike has been received by Sapra.

Sapra wanted to make it clear that, unlike some of the rumours suggest, it is not the petrol attendants who are negotiating their wages at the moment. Their negotiations will likely take place later in the year.

In the past it has happened that, during a CEPPAWU strike, truck drivers were prevented from leaving refineries or depots.