The government must act quickly to deal more effectively with the fuel price in SA, the Automobile Association has urged.
“Our economy is closely linked to the fuel price. It is a major input cost in the manufacturing, retailing and agricultural sectors. We have noted before that a review of the structure of the fuel price, as well as an audit of all the elements which comprise the fuel price, should be done sooner rather than later. We therefore call on the minister of finance to initiate such a review during his budget speech on February 23.
“We know all too well of the economic challenges facing the country, and of the importance of the revenue raised through the two main levies. We are also aware that, as was the case last year, delivering a budget in the current economic environment is tricky and difficult and the pressure to ease government’s financial burden is immense. However, increasing the levels of the general fuel and road accident levies will be counterproductive as this will impact mostly on the poor.” .
2021 saw fuel prices reach record levels and they are again touching those levels, despite a decrease to fuel prices in January. The association said adjustments to the collection rates of these levies will have severe consequences for consumers and they should not be altered.