Fuel price increase a bumpy ride for motorists

The increase in the Road Accident Fund and fuel levies, increase in transportation costs, depreciation of the Rand against the US dollar and the average increase in the prices of petroleum products in the international markets are the reasons given by the Department of Energy for the increase in fuel prices.

The fuel prices as of April 1 in Gauteng will be adjusted as follows:

Petrol will increase by R1.62 per litre while diesel will increase by R1.24.

The price of Illuminating paraffin will increase by 36 cents per litre and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) by 85 cents per kilogram.

Dawie Roodt, Economist of the Efficient Group said the increase is not good for South Africans and economy as inflation will follow.

“It’s possible that the prices will increase throughout the year,” he added, “Low-income households will be especially affected as food prices will also increase.”

This marks the second consecutive increase in fuel prices since the beginning of the year.

@ntombazi_