The African National Congress (ANC) says government must urgently intervene to cushion South Africans from the impact of record fuel price increases.

Motorists are bracing for sharp increases in fuel prices set to take effect from midnight Tuesday.

The price of petrol is expected to increase by between R3.12 and R3.33 cents per litre, depending on the grade.

Diesel will rise by between R2.84 and R3.24 per litre, while illuminating paraffin will increase by R4.77 cents per litre.

MP Fasiha Hassan says National Treasury should consider reducing fuel and Road Accident Fund levies, while government works towards expanding local fuel refining capacity for longer-term relief.

“Higher fuel means a higher cost of living and in the current economy where people are really struggling, this is unacceptable. In the short term, National Treasury can look at the fuel levy and the Road Accident Fund levy to provide relief. But sustainably, we need to build refining capacity in South Africa. Right now, we’re a net importer and that drives up the cost.”

Meanwhile, Mineral and Petroleum Regulation in the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has cited Russia’s extended ban on diesel exports and China’s renewed diesel export restrictions as some of the factors driving higher global fuel prices.

Deputy Director General for Mineral and Petroleum Regulation at the Department Tseliso Maqubela, says: “What has happened is that the attack of Russian refineries has resulted in Russia effectively banning the export of diesel globally. In fact, they have just extended it now until the end of October. Russia before this was the second largest exporter of diesel globally. So, they have been taken out and we have seen it in the prices that we’re witnessing now.”

Maqubela elaborates below: 

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