‘South Africans are being crushed’: MK Party attacks GNU over R30 petrol

South Africa – The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has criticised the Government of National Unity (GNU) following South Africa’s latest fuel price increases, which have pushed 95-grade petrol above R30 a litre inland for the first time.

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced that petrol prices increased from 7 October, with 93-grade petrol rising by R3.12 a litre and 95-grade petrol by R3.33. The increases put 95 petrol at R30.25 a litre in Gauteng and other inland areas, while 93 petrol now costs R29.88.

The Citizen reported that the MK Party accused the GNU of failing to adequately protect households from rising living costs. Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu said working-class and poor South Africans were being squeezed by higher borrowing, transport and food costs.

“South Africans are being crushed by higher borrowing costs, higher transport costs, and rising food prices, while government stands by and does nothing,” Mahlangu said.

International oil-market pressures

The party also criticised the government’s decision not to restore temporary fuel-tax relief, arguing that intervention could have reduced the impact of the latest increases.

The fuel increases are largely being driven by international oil-market pressures. According to the South African government, the average Brent crude price rose from $87.89 to $101 a barrel, while uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, higher shipping costs and declining global inventories contributed to higher international petroleum prices.

The Mail & Guardian reported that the latest increase represents the highest recorded price for 95 petrol in Gauteng, while diesel prices have also climbed sharply. The wholesale price of 0.005% sulphur diesel has increased by R3.24 a litre.

The higher fuel costs are expected to put additional pressure on households and businesses, with transport and logistics costs likely to feed through into food and other consumer prices.

Workers’ real incomes

The increases are expected to further squeeze workers’ real incomes and add to inflationary pressures.

Calls for government intervention have also come from other organisations. MISA has urged the government to temporarily reduce the General Fuel Levy by at least R3 a litre, while the Automobile Association said government had more room to cushion consumers from the impact of record fuel prices.

The MK Party has called for immediate relief measures, greater energy security and policies aimed at shielding households from further increases.

“This crisis starts at the petrol pump, but it does not end there. Every taxi fare, every loaf of bread and every household budget will feel the impact,” Mahlangu said.

The post ‘South Africans are being crushed’: MK Party attacks GNU over R30 petrol appeared first on African Insider.