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A person filling petrol into a car.
The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry says the fuel price increase will have a devastating impact on KwaZulu-Natal logistics-driven economy.
Fuel prices increase from midnight with the retail price for all grades of petrol increasing by R3,27 cents per litre, diesel surges R5, 27 cents while illuminating paraffin is set to increase by R4,22 per litre.
The chamber’s CEO Palesa Philli says the fuel price hike is bound to put pressure on businesses and increase unemployment.
“Being a logistics hub of the country, there is a lot of manufacturing that is taking place across multiple sectors. There are a lot of importers and exporters that heavily rely on trucks because our rail infrastructure is not operational yet. This is going to be absolutely devastating, not only just to businesses but to consumers, because all these prices are going to now be taken down to the consumers to absorb. We believe that the government needs to talk with business. We need to come up with a more sustainable long-term solution about how we are going to prevent the possible job losses that are going to be coming into the city and the province.”
On the other hand, panic buying has gripped parts of Durban, with long queues forming at petrol stations as fears grow over possible fuel restrictions.
Yugen Maistry, General Manager of a fuel station in Sherwood, says they been inundated with customers rushing to beat the deadline.
“We’ve been busy, unusually busy. Generally, in the morning, and especially this time in the day, we are not busy, but from this morning, all our bays were full, but we have planned for it. So, we have extra staff. Also, a lot of garages are restricting fuel. That’s the biggest fear. I mean this morning I met customers that asked if I’m restricting because they have been to other sites that were restricting.”
Meanwhile, motorists say they are at breaking point as they struggle to keep up with fuel increases.
“To fill my vehicle is R2,800, with the new price it will be about R3000. I think it’s ridiculous,” says one motorist.
Another says, “It’s quite bad, especially when it comes to the financial issues that we are facing currently. From what we are earning as employees in South Africa, it’s going to be heavy on our pockets.”
“The fuel price is ridiculously high. With the next increase, it’s making living a bit stiffer. Like I’m filling R300 now, and I’ll come back in two days to fill another R300. It’s steep. Life is getting tougher and tougher,” adds another motorist.
