Government’s Failure to Protect South Africans From the Cost of Living Cris

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes the latest escalation in fuel prices, which will place an unbearable additional burden on working-class and poor South Africans who are already struggling to survive under an ever-increasing cost of living crisis.

From Wednesday, 7 October 2026, petrol 93 will increase by R3.12 per litre, while petrol 95 will increase by R3.33 per litre. Diesel will increase by R2.84 per litre for 0.05% sulphur and R3.24 per litre for 0.005% sulphur. Illuminating paraffin, which is relied upon by poor households for cooking and heating, will increase by a devastating R3.58 per litre at wholesale level, while the Single Maximum National Retail Price for illuminating paraffin increases by R4.77 per litre. LPG will also increase by 42 cents per kilogram, and by 48 cents per kilogram in the Western Cape.

These increases are devastating for working-class and poor South Africans. Fuel is not simply an expense for motorists; it affects the price of food, public transport, goods and virtually every basic necessity. Higher diesel prices increase the cost of transporting agricultural produce and goods, while higher petrol prices place further pressure on commuters and households.

The increase in paraffin is particularly shameful because it directly punishes households that are already excluded from affordable and reliable access to electricity. For millions of poor families, paraffin remains essential for cooking and heating.

The EFF therefore once again chastises the government for failing to provide adequate and sustainable relief to the people of South Africa. Government has already demonstrated that it has the capacity to intervene when fuel prices rise. In April 2026, they introduced a temporary R3-per-litre reduction in the general fuel levy, and subsequently extended relief into May and June. However, this relief was phased out, leaving households exposed to renewed fuel-price shocks.

The EFF recognises that South Africa does not control the international price of crude oil. However, our government does control taxation, fiscal policy, regulation and the extent to which the state intervenes to protect its citizens from economic shocks. The government must, therefore, urgently reduce the fuel levy, intervene to protect the price of paraffin and other essential fuels, and review the fuel-pricing mechanism to ensure that the burden of these increases does not continue to fall disproportionately on the poor and working class.

The government must also confront the structural weaknesses that leave South Africa excessively vulnerable to international fuel-price movements, such as developing significant fuel reserves. A country rich in mineral and energy resources cannot permanently remain a price-taker while its working class carries the consequences.

The EFF has been involved in campaigns against xenophobia and discrimination.

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