South African motorists face steep petrol and diesel increases as BOSA urges government to cut fuel levies by R3 per litre. The post South Africans hit with major fuel price increase appeared first on iHarare News .
South African motorists are bracing for another painful increase in fuel costs from Wednesday, 2 September.
Petrol prices will climb by R1.34 per litre, while diesel will increase even more sharply.
Diesel prices will rise by between R2.94 and R3.15 per litre.
The latest increases could place additional pressure on already stretched household budgets.
However, Mmusi Maimane’s Build One South Africa (BOSA) wants government to intervene.
The party has proposed a R3 per litre reduction in fuel levies.
BOSA believes motorists should not carry the full burden of international fuel price movements.
Instead, the party wants government to temporarily reduce its fuel-related taxes.
Maimane argued that the fuel levy could help shield consumers during major international price shocks.
“Government has a choice. It can collect the full tax burden while households absorb the shock, or it can use the fuel levy as a buffer to protect South Africans from international price volatility,” he said.
The latest increase arrives as households battle rising costs across several essential areas.
Food, electricity, transport and housing expenses continue putting pressure on household finances.
BOSA therefore wants Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to provide immediate relief.
The proposed reduction would target the combined fuel levies paid by motorists.
These charges include the General Fuel Levy and Road Accident Fund levy.
They also include the carbon fuel levy imposed on fuel purchases.
Government has previously lowered the General Fuel Levy during periods of severe fuel price pressure.
Maimane believes authorities should consider similar relief again.
“South Africans are already doing everything they can to make their incomes stretch further. Government should be doing the same with taxpayers’ money,” he said.
The latest fuel shock could affect far more than motorists.
Businesses depend heavily on petrol and diesel to move goods and operate their services.
Consequently, higher fuel costs can increase transportation and operating expenses.
Those additional expenses can eventually reach consumers through higher prices.
Food prices could rise as suppliers face increased distribution costs.
Meanwhile, commuters could also pay more if transport operators pass on their additional expenses.
“When petrol and diesel become more expensive, the cost of transporting food and goods rises,” Maimane said.
“Businesses face higher operating costs, commuters pay more to travel, and these costs ultimately find their way into household budgets.”
BOSA warned that poorer households could face the greatest financial strain.
The party therefore wants fuel levy relief included in broader cost-of-living measures.
Maimane said government should focus on reducing pressure on families rather than increasing their expenses.
“South Africans need a government that makes it easier to afford a life, not one that makes every essential more expensive,” Maimane said.
The post South Africans hit with major fuel price increase appeared first on iHarare News.
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