SOUTH Coast motorists agreed with the Automobile Association (AA) and have echoed the statement that the latest fuel increase is ‘disastrous’.
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This was in reference to the increase that kicked in on Wednesday, November 3. Petrol increased by R1.21 per litre, diesel by R1.48 per litre and paraffin by R1.45 per litre.
Amanzimtoti motorists said they felt hopeless as they queued at fuel stations on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of the increase. Shirley Smith of Illovo said she did not know how she was going to cope.
“Petrol is already taking a huge chunk of my salary. I often find myself having to dip into my savings just to make it through the month,” she said.
Vaughn Esquino said he was very unhappy.
“This is beyond crazy. How are we supposed to get by when we have to pay so much for fuel?” he asked.
Another motorist, Ruan Potgieter said he was thinking of exchanging his car for a model that is lighter on fuel.
“It’s clear by Christmas we’ll be paying R20 per litre of fuel. My job keeps me on the road and I travel extensively. I’m already spending about R6 000 a month on diesel and now, with this increase, I have to add about R400 to that. It’s terrible,” said Potgieter.
The AA said the fuel price has a direct bearing on an already weak economy as it continues to drive up prices of essential goods.
“As we have said many times in the past, all the elements that comprise the fuel must be fully interrogated to determine if they are necessary. Given that the fuel prices are now at record highs, such a review is overdue,” said the AA in a statement.
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