We’ve passed April Fool’s Day but the biggest joke has only just been told. April will bring with it more fuel hikes. Diesel is reportedly rising by up to R1.69 a litre and petrol by up to 36c a litre.
The Herald Live shared the sentiment of many locals in saying that “it could have been a lot worse” due to a 40% cut in the fuel levy, which is part of a R6bn package intended to ease burdens on motorists. The levy applies until 31 May.
The levy in action:
The 40% cut translates to a temporary R1.50/l fuel levy reduction on petrol and diesel. The fuel levy in the price structure of petrol and diesel was reduced to 244.0c/l and 230.0c/l respectively while the Road Accident Fund levy remains at 218.0c/l.
Though it “could have been worse”, the news is still maddening and comes less than a week after Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis announced an increase in basic living costs, including; rates increasing by 5.2%, tariffs on refuse increasing by 5%, water and sanitation by 5%, with an additional 1.5% specifically for expanding access to water to the poorest residents living in informal settlements.
Then there’s the electricity slap — the biggest increase. The Mayor added that because of Eskom’s 9.61% increase that was approved by the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa), “we are bound to a 9.5% increase in electricity tariffs this year”.
Last night, the President preached a return to normality in his address. But how, Mr Ramaphosa, is your country supposed to recover in the wake of endless price hikes?
#RobynintheHood
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Picture: Unsplash