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Paraffin being filled in a bottle.
The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) is calling for government intervention to address rising paraffin prices in South Africa.
Paraffin prices have increased by more than R11 per litre, raising concerns about energy poverty.
MISA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says, “The price of paraffin has gone up by a whopping 11 rand, and this has had a very direct impact on our poorest communities, people who depend on paraffin. We’re entering the winter months now, paraffin is something that the use of increases around this time, and we really think that the government needs to intervene”.
“This is why MISA is pushing that the government must implement targeted subsidies on paraffin. We believe that a targeted subsidy would be much more effective than, for example, relying on a fuel levy cut,” adds Hlubi-Majola.
The government recently announced a temporary R3 reduction in the fuel levy for April 2026.
MISA urges the government to reduce paraffin prices
Meanwhile, the head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) says recovery in global jet fuel supplies could take months, even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens under a ceasefire.
Director General Willie Walsh says supply chain disruptions and reduced refining capacity in the Middle East will delay a full recovery.
“If it were to reopen and remain open, I think it will still take a period of months to get back to where the supply needs to be. Given the disruption to the refining capacity in the Middle East, which is a critical part of the global supply of refined products. And not just jet fuel for the other products as well. So it will probably take months,” said Walsh.
