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South African money, notes and coins.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed the decrease in fuel levy but says it’s not enough considering the pressure that the fuels price increase has put on consumers.
The party had previously called for a relief of R3 in the fuel levy, which Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced on Tuesday.
Petrol prices have increased by R3 per litre, while both grades of diesel increased by between R7.37 and R7.51 per litre.
The party says citizens are being overtaxed.
DA Spokesperson on Finance, Dr Mark Burke, says the solution is to fix government’s spending habits.
“We need to start getting really serious about the spending so that we don’t need to extract this level of revenue at the pump. And then to answer that, I probably agree that we, as a portion of the revenue at the pump, we do have high rates of taxation.”
“Across the board, the [South] Africans are overtaxed and we’ve maxed out every category of taxation. The only solution to that is to start getting serious with the government about our spending habits.”
Full interview with MP and DA spokesperson on Finance, Dr Mark Burke:
Meanwhile, the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) says the reduction of the fuel levy is a sign that government recognises the severity of the impact of the fuel price hike on workers.
Union president Mametlwe Sebei says it’s not enough.
“It is a direct assault on every worker, every family and every community already crushed by the cost of living. Let us be clear about how this will bleed us dry- food prices will skyrocket. Diesel powers the tractors and the that bring maize, bread and milk to our shops.”
“Secondly, transport will become unaffordable for both private motorists and those relying on taxis and other means of transport,” adds Sebei.
Full interview with GIWUSA president Mametlwe Sebei:
