Stop being a fuel about tax

THOSE who are advocating for a drop in the fuel taxes are not saying just how we will fund the resulting shortfall. There are only two options available. The first involves raising other taxes. VAT went up this financial year from 14 to 15%. Would those advocating for lower fuel prices call for VAT to be increased to 16% to make up the revenue shortfall? Would they prefer personal taxes or business taxes to go up?

The second option would be to cut expenses. But what do you cut? Health? Education? The police?

It would be great if we could reduce corruption, but there is no budget for corruption.

There are many failures our government must take responsibility for. But, in all fairness, the price of petrol is something the government has very little control over.

So, while the DA and the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) can hold as many marches as they like (they are planning one for this Friday), they are not going to make any impact on the rand or on international oil prices. And it is these two factors that play the biggest role in determining how much we pay at the pumps.

The same is true of Visvin Reddy and his organisation, People Against Petrol and Paraffin Price Increases.

Reddy has plans to hold a nationwide protest on Friday to push the government to lower fuel taxes and make petrol somewhat cheaper.

Last month, Reddy urged motorists to wear black and to switch off their car engines for 10 minutes. He also started the hashtag #FuelMustFall.

But despite all these efforts, the price of fuel is expected to go up once again in August.

It proves just how ineffective the current line of protests have been.