Johannesburg: The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has clarified recent media reports that reference remarks made by the Director of the Fuel Pricing Mechanism, Robert Maake, suggesting that working from home could help employees manage the impact of rising fuel costs: The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has clarified recent media reports that reference remarks made by the Director of the Fuel Pricing Mechanism, Robert Maake, suggesting that working from home could help employees manage the impact of rising fuel costs.
According to South African Government News Agency, the department categorically stated that these remarks were made in response to a question from the floor during a workshop on fuel pricing mechanisms. In that context, working from home was mentioned purely as an example of one of several possible options that individuals or organisations might consider to mitigate rising transport-related costs.
The department emphasized that it is incorrect to report or interpret the response given during the workshop as an official position or policy proposal of the department or government. The response was not presented as a directive, recommendation, or policy intervention but rather as part of a broader discussion during the workshop.
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources reiterated that the government continues to engage on matters relating to fuel supply, fuel pricing, and the broader cost-of-living pressures affecting South Africans. Any policy positions or decisions will be communicated through the appropriate official channels.
