With Reference to the Recent Fuel Price Increase

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns the latest fuel price increases, announced today by the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, which will take effect on Wednesday, 2 July 2025. These increases will deepen the already devastating cost-of-living crisis and further marginalise South Africa’s working-class and poor majority.

The price of petrol will rise by between 52 cents (95 Unleaded) and 55 cents (93 Unleaded) per litre, while diesel will increase by between 82 cents (500ppm) and 84 cents (50ppm). Illuminated paraffin, relied upon by many working-class households, will rise by 67 cents.

While the rising international oil prices, driven in part by global instability, including military actions in the Middle East, have influenced this spike, the primary blame lies with the ANC-DA government for its continued failure to insulate South Africans from global market shocks.

Furthermore, at the heart of the crisis is the recent fuel tax increase, which took effect in June. The general fuel levy was raised by 16 cents per litre for petrol and 15 cents per litre for diesel, bringing the total fuel tax burden to a staggering R6.37 per litre.

This opportunistic taxation strategy is being used to plug holes in a broken budget, at the direct expense of workers, commuters, and the unemployed.

The government’s delay in establishing the necessary fuel price stabilisation mechanisms as promised by President Ramaphosa in Parliament last year, its failure to invest in strategic fuel reserves, and its chronic underinvestment in public transport are all signs of a government of national unity that has no plan to protect the poor. Instead of redirecting wasteful expenditure and confronting corruption, they prefer to bleed the masses through regressive fuel taxes.

These increases will trigger widespread price hikes in food, transportation, and essential goods, as businesses pass on higher fuel costs to consumers. The result will be increased hunger, job losses, and social despair in a country already ravaged by unemployment, increased electricity costs, and the collapse of basic services.

The EFF reiterates its call for the finalisation of the review process of the fuel pricing structure to end unjustifiable levies and taxes that burden the poor; massive investment in an efficient, affordable, subsidised public transport system, particularly for the working class; and affordable housing closer to industrial centres to undo the apartheid spatial planning that requires black people to travel far between home and work.

The EFF has been involved in high-profile parliamentary disruptions to draw attention to issues.

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