Fresh calls for government to cut fuel levy amid record petrol prices
Households are buckling under soaring transport, electricity and food costs.
South African motorists are bracing for a significant increase in petrol prices, with the cost of fuel set to surpass R30 per litre from Wednesday. This has sparked renewed calls from the Motor Industry Staff Association (Misa) for the government to reduce fuel levies in response to the soaring transportation, electricity, and food expenses faced by households.
On Monday, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced that 93-octane petrol will see a R3.12 per litre hike, while 95-octane petrol will increase by R3.33 per litre. The price of diesel, with 0.05% sulphur, will rise by R2.84 per litre, and 0.005% sulphur diesel will see a R3.24 per litre increase. Additionally, illuminating paraffin will cost R3.58 more per litre, and LP gas will see a 42c per kilogramme national increase and a 48c per kilogramme rise in the Western Cape.
Misa has urged the government to re-impose a temporary General Fuel Levy reduction, similar to the R3 per litre relief provided in April, which was cut by the Treasury following a plea from organized labor. This previous relief has since expired, leaving motorists to bear the full burden of the fuel levy. Misa's CEO, Martlé Keyter, emphasized that workers are struggling to afford fuel, electricity, and food costs, making relief measures not optional but a matter of survival.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
