Out of excuses for fuel hikes

IT is a sad day when we celebrate no increase in the price of petrol this month.

This is evident by media headlines as well as comments by fuel pundits. “Fuel Price to remain unchanged,” and “Relief for motorists”, are examples of propaganda used to cover up the fact that diesel and paraffin prices have reached unprecedented levels.

While the government has decided to keep petrol prices the same, it has increased diesel by 50c and paraffin by 38c a litre. This is no victory for consumers, especially the poor.

Increasing the cost of diesel contributes directly to rising food and public transport costs because vehicles in this sector use this type of fuel.

The price of crude oil has dropped by about $2 a barrel and the rand has strengthened to the dollar. Why has the price of fuel in South Africa not dropped?

The department of energy has exhausted its excuses and has come up with a ridiculous answer for the latest fuel price changes. It says that the Northern hemisphere is getting colder, so our diesel prices will have to go up. What a joke.

We say to the government that it can reduce the cost of fuel by removing taxes and levies, which account for 38% of the total price. This shortfall can be recovered with a wealth tax on the R1.7 trillion hidden in the Stock Exchange as reserves.

The solution is simple but our government is reluctant to implement it, because many of our politicians serve on the boards, or are shareholders, of these super rich companies. VISVIN REDDY People Against Petroleum Price Increases (PAPPI)