Premier Winde & Minister Mitchell urge immediate action by National Government

Media release: Premier Winde and Minister Mitchell urge immediate action by National Government on escalating fuel price

Statement by the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde:

“I share the real concern of our province’s residents and business owners that fuel prices are expected to reach a high of R25 tomorrow. These escalating prices will make it more expensive to live, eat, and travel in South Africa, and it will undoubtedly hit our most vulnerable residents the hardest.

It is for this reason that I join calls for urgent action by the National Government to limit the impact on residents in South Africa, by scrapping the general fuel levy.

The reality is that the COVID-19 pandemic has already resulted in rising unemployment, poverty and hunger. South Africans can simply not afford to carry these increases.

We must take every step possible to protect our recovery so that we claw back the jobs and deliver hope in the Western Cape.”

Statement by the Provincial Minister of Mobility, Daylin Mitchell:

“I call on the national Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, to join the fight against the increase in the price of fuel, given the huge impact on the transport sector and adverse knock-on effect throughout the economy.

Let’s fix this. Let’s start by jointly fighting for the scrapping of the general fuel levy to ease the impact of the record fuel price increases.

Tonight’s increase is a big blow not only for motorists but for commuters who are already struggling to reach economic opportunities, especially in light of the failing rail system and rolling blackouts.

The increase in fuel not only affects motorists but public transport users and businesses who are finding it difficult to recover after being hit hard by the pandemic.

The taxi industry recently announced a taxi fare increase was on the cards as petrol costs and covid pressures mount.

I commend Golden Arrow Bus Services for its decision not to increase fares at this stage to provide passengers with some small sense of relief amidst the price increase the company is facing.

I plead with Minister Mbalula to engage his cabinet colleagues, Ministers of Finance and Energy, and ask them to put the needs of our already struggling commuters and motorists first and stop the exorbitant tax rate on fuel that is imposed by the National Government.”