THE DA has called for an urgent 50% reduction in fuel levies to cushion South Africans from a looming petrol price shock.
Prices could increase by more than R5 per litre for petrol and up to R9 per litre for diesel.
Speaking during a media briefing in Parliament on Wednesday, 25 March, DA national spokeswoman Karabo Khakhau said South Africans are already struggling under a severe cost-of-living crisis.
"South Africans are already battling to put food on the table for themselves and their families. We have a cost-of-living crisis that dictates that we can't afford to see the cost of any essential good go up," said Khakhau.
She said the DA was presenting solutions as part of its role in the Government of National Unity (GNU).
"Our responsibility is to maximise the voices of ordinary South Africans who depend on a government that is responsive to their cries."
DA spokesman on minerals and petroleum resources James Lorimer said global tensions in the Persian Gulf are pushing up oil prices and creating uncertainty about supply.
"As the war continues in the Persian Gulf, the impact is felt by countries around the world, even countries like ours that have no direct participation in the war," Lorimer said.
He explained that South Africa imports only about 20% of its crude oil from the Gulf, but the closure of several local refineries means the country depends heavily on imported refined fuel.
ALSO READ | Sergeant Fannie Nkosi: A cop in pockets of 'tsotsis'Opens in new window
Lorimer said Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe had told Parliament that South Africa had enough refined fuel supply for now.
"He told us that we were okay with refined product at least until the end of April, and thereafter the prospects for supply were good," Lorimer said.
But he warned that the real concern was the price.
"We're looking at an increase of around R5 per litre of petrol and between R7 and R9 per litre of diesel. Obviously, this will have a huge effect on all South Africans," he said.
DA spokeswoman on social development Nazli Sharif said rising fuel prices would hit poor households the hardest.
"Fuel is not a luxury. It's essential to know how the economy functions."
"When fuel prices increase, everything becomes more expensive, transport costs rise, food prices increase, and households that are already struggling are pushed even further. People are not living. They are surviving," Sharif said.
DA finance committee member Paul Swartz warned that farmers, businesses and workers would also feel the pressure.
"Every increase in fuel is a direct tax on the poor people of South Africa," Swartz said.
Unveiling the party's proposal, DA finance spokesman Dr Mark Burke said the party wanted the government to temporarily cut the Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy and the general fuel levy by 50%.
"Combined, these two levies contribute R6,35 to the overall price of fuel. A 50% reduction would dampen increases by R3,17 and provide immediate relief to South Africans who are staring down the barrel of a massive price shock," said Burke.
He said the lost revenue, estimated at R6,5 billion per month, could be covered by using government surpluses, including funds held by the Compensation Fund, SETAs and savings from cutting wasteful spending.
"South Africans should not be forced to carry the full cost of an international conflict outside of our control," added Burke.
